nFPT. 


OF 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN 


BULLETIN  PREPARED  BY  THE 


Wisconsin  Potato  Growers  Association 


The  "Potato  Special"  Enroute  Through  the  Commercial  Potato 
Sections  of  Wisconsin 


Thirty-four  years  ago  the  first  car  of  potatoes  was  shipped  out 
of  Wisconsin.  During  1913  the  combined  shipment  of  four  rail- 
roads amounted  to  approximately  35,000  cars.  This  Association 
cannot  attempt  to  relate  the  history  of  investment  and  develop- 
ment which  has  made  this  industry  possible. 

Today,  however,  the  future  promises  a  development  of  far 
greater  significance  than  that  of  the  past.  The  markets  of  the 
country  demand  attention  to  improved  standards.  This  Associa- 
tion is  confident  that  the  plan  of  work  presented  in  this  bulletin 
will  insure  permanently  a  high  standard  for  Wisconsin  potato 
shipments  in  the  markets  of  the  country. 


MADISON 
APRIL,  1914 


. 

Wisconsin  Potato  Growers  Association 


OFFICERS 

Praidcnt-J.  W.  HICKS,  Prentice 
Vice-President-ANTON  FOLLSTAD,  Elcho 


Treasurer-B.  F.  FAAST,  Eau  Claire 
Secretary--.!.  G.  M1LWARD,  Madison 


A  Personal  Letter  to  Wisconsin  Potato  Growers 

There  has  never  been  a  time  in  the  history  of  commercial  potato 
growing  in  Wisconsin  when  attention  has  been  so  well  directed  to  the 
development  of  the  industry  as  now.  The  single  fact  of  a  production 
of  approximately  30,000,000  bushels  indicates  the  magnitude  of  the 
potato  industry  in  this  state.  However,  there  are  problems  of  de- 
velopment concerning  which  averages  of  yields  and  acreage  is  of 
little  value. 

During  the  past  ten  years  the  Wisconsin  Experiment  Station  has 
established  and  developed  a  plan  of  field  extension  work  which  ha& 
involved  close  co-operation  with  practical  growers  and  affiliated  com- 
mercial interests.  The  Wisconsin  Potato  Growers  Association  is  an 
outgrowth  of  this  movement.  The  work  of  the  Association  is  affili- 
ated in  interest  and  method  with  all  the  agencies  which  are  active  in 
the  agricultural  development  of  the  state. 

The  executive  committee  desires  to  say  to  Wisconsin  growers  that 
the  subject  matter  here  submitted  has  received  careful  attention. 
The  plans  of  the  Association  have  the  endorsement  of  practical  and 
successful  men  connected  with  all  commercial  phases  of  the  industry. 

Again  the  committee  after  careful  investigation,  desires  to  call  at- 
tention to  the  fact  that  this  work  has  assumed  important  national 
relationship.  Many  important  commercial  sections  of  the  United 
Btates  are  concerned  with  problems  which  threaten  the  industry. 
Wisconsin  may  well  feel  fortunate  in  the  extent  of  its  available  un- 
developed resources. 

The  markets  of  the  middle  west  demand  attention  to  improved 
commercial  standards.  Wisconsin  will  be  prepared  to  meet  this  de- 
mand through  effective  state  leadership  and  the  committee  com- 
mends therefore  to  every  progressive  grower  a  consideration  of  the 
work  of  the  Association  accomplished  during  1913,  and  attention  to 
the  work  proposed  for  the  coming  year. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

Madison,  Wis.,  April,  1914. 


President. 


Secretary. 
EXECUTIVE   COMMITTEE. 


MEMBERSHIP. 


Wisconsin    Potato    Growers    Association, 


ADAMS  COUNTY 

DANE    COUNTY 

Douglas,  G.   P.                              Big  Flats 

Milward,  J.  G.                                Madison 

Olds,  L.  L.                                         Madison 

ASHLAND  COUNTY 

Sanborn,  A.  W.                                  Ashland 

DODGE  COUNTY 

Beebe,  K.  H.                                       Ashland 

Krueger,  II.  E.                          Beaver  Dam 

Gingles,  A.                                          Ashland 

DOOR    COUNTY 

BARRON    COUNTY 

Larkin,  D.  W.                        Sturgeon  Bay 

Johnson,   J.    II.                                   Chetek 

Ellison   Bay  Company              Ellison  Bay 

Rauchenstein,    J.                           Rice  Lake 

Powers,  W.  C.                           Ellison  Bay 

Nelson,   L.  M.                                 Rice  Lake 

Nichols,  W.   J.                                      Chetek 

DOUGLAS    COUNTY 

Otis,  F.  D.                                            Barren 

Lucius,  Jos.                              Solon  Springs 

Webb,  W.  H.                                    Superior 

BAYFIELD    COUNTY 

Morgan,  G.  F.                                     Bayfield 

DUNN   COUNTY 

Pease,  L.  D.                                           Cable 
Flieth,  W.   IT.                               Cornucopia 

Bartz,  Paul                                      Downing 

Hauser,  J.  F.                                    Bayfield 

EAU   CLAIRE   COUNTY 

Kern,  F.                                              Bayfield 

Black,  J.  M.                                      Bayfield 

Ingalls,  G.   R.                              Eau  Claire 

Lufkin,  G.   W.                             Eau  Claire 

BURNETT    COUNTY 

Nelson,  E.  R.                                Eau  Claire 

Lind,  Andrew  E.                                     Siren 
Peet,  E.  L.                                        Danbury 
Roberts,  L.  R.                                   Webster 

Wiesse,  Wm.                                Fall  Creek 
Faast,  Ben.  F.                            Eau  Claire 
Calkins,  C.  C.                                 Fairchild 

CHIPPEWA  COUNTY 

FLORENCE   COUNTY 

Barrett,  W.  E.                                       Thorp 

McGovern,   Peter                             Florence 

Hart,  J.                                Chippewa  Falls 
Amundson,  A.  J.                     New  Auburn 

FOND    DU    LAC    COUNTY 

Kienholz,   Ralph                                  Stanley 

Stack,   J.  M.                                          Eden 

Roe,  Edwin                                         Stanley 

Sandquist,  C.  J.                               Brandon 

Scott,  L.  E.                                        Stanley 

Stelter,  O.  F.                                     Bloomer 

FOREST  COUNTY 

CLARK  COUNTY 

Anklam,  A.  R.                                        Hiles 
Grandine,   J.   D.                   North  Crandon 

Piper,  Wm.  J.                                        Thorp 

Gruman,  William                                 Laona 

Barrett,  W.  E.                                       Thorp 

Marshall,  C.   H.                  North  Crandon 

Sample,  Floydell                                Withee 

Petersen,  L.  W.                                 Wabeno 

Thompson,  Ole                                   Curtiss 

Roberts,  T.  J.                     North  Crandon 

*"•  B"3tATb*3}EV£EOPM]2NT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


JACKSON  COUNTY 

MILWAUKEE  COUNTY 

Huseboe,   Henry   M. 

Taylor 

Coe,  N.  M. 

Whitefish  Bay 

KEWAUNEE 

COUNTY 

Fisher,  W.  E. 
MacGilfrey,   C.    D. 

Wauwatosa 
Milwaukee 

Gerhart,  P.  F. 

Algoma 

Church,  J.   R. 

LAFAYETTE 

COUNTY 

Gunderson,    A.    O. 

Argyle 

OCONTO  COUNTY 

Etherldge 

Oconto 

LANGLADE 

COUNTY 

Coy,   F.   A. 

Baring 

Beard,  Chas. 

Elcho 

Martineau,  A 

Gillett 

Beattie,   II.  C. 

Antigo 

Suring,  Edward 

Suring 

Dewey,  D.  C. 

Antigo 

Filyes,  L.  W. 

Bass  Lake 

Follstad,  Anton 

Elcho 

ONEIDA 

COUNTY 

Follstad,  Carl 
Guptill,  L.  P. 
Kalowen,  E. 
Moss  &  Lavis 
Stengl,  Alois 
Sorenson,  C.  G. 
Stengl,  Chas. 
Swohoda,  F.  G. 
McFarlan,  L.   K. 

Elcho 
Elcho 
Antigo 
Kempster 
Antigo 
Antigo 
Antigo 
Antigo 
Bryant 

Appleromp,  A. 
Baxter,  H. 
Brann,  Paul 
Beck,  Otto 
Burkhart,    Geo. 
Campbell,   S.   S. 
Clark,  G.  J. 
Crosby,  C.   P. 
Dawes,  G.  II. 

Pelican  Lake 
Rhinelander 
Rhinelander 
Bradley 
Rhinelander 
Three  Lakes 
Rhinelander 
Rhinelander 
Tomahawk  Lake 

Goodell,  W.   F. 

Rhinelander 

LINCOLN    COUNTY 

Gross,  Chas. 

Rhinelander 

Amelse,  C. 

Harrison 

Hardell,   W. 

Rhinelander 

Atcheson  and  Larson 

Tomahawk 

Hess,  John 

Rhinelander 

Brooks,  Hall  L. 

Tomahawk 

Jewell,  W.  P. 

Rhinelander 

Smith,  F.  J. 

Merrill 

Lamon,    D.    E. 

Three  Lakes 

Clark,  Frank 

Tomahawk 

Luther,    E.   L. 

Rhinelander 

Clark.  R.  II. 

Tomahawk 

McLaughlin,   O.    II. 

Rhinelander 

Froehlich,   J.   W. 

Tomahawk 

McLaughlin,  Frank 

Rhinelander 

Gather,  A. 

Tomahawk 

Moran,   B.   M. 

Rhinelander 

Gesell,  E.  G. 

Tomahawk 

Olson,  W. 

Rhinelander 

Morse,  A.   II. 

Tomahawk 

Packard,  C.  D. 

Rhinelander 

Roesche,  Win. 

Tomahawk 

Pazdernik,   E. 

Rhinelander 

Swan,  Peter 

Harrison 

Smith,   Ira  E. 

Cassian 

Venske,  A.  G. 

Tomahawk 

Hadke,  Albert 

Rhinelander 

Welty,    Arthur 

Merrill 

Rick,    E.    K. 

Rhinelander 

Sanders,    Claude 

Tomahawk  Lake 

MANITWOC 

COUNTY 

Skochil,    John 

Monico 

Adelmann,    Joseph 

Manitowoc 

Scott,   J.   M. 

Tripoli 

Sorenson,    James    P.                         Bradley 

MARATHON 

COUNTY 

Swals,  C.  W. 

Rhinelander 

Hermanson,    E. 

Eldron 

Taylor,  Arthur 

Rhinelander 

Knoller,  C.   G. 

Dancy 

Tomnson,   J.    P. 

Cassian 

Weideman,  Henry 

Rhinelander 

MARINETTE 

COUNTY 

Sparks,    Wilbur 

Pelican  Lake 

Baker,   H.   C. 

Marinette 

Kelley,   T.   J. 

Bradley 

George,   O.    B. 

Marinette 

Mikelson,   C. 

Hazelhurst 

Makovsky,  A. 

Athelstane 

Parsons,  H. 

Crivitz 

PEPIN 

COUNTY 

Lundgren,  John 

Pembine 

Bogrand,  George 

Wausaukee 

Newcomb,  II.  L. 

Pepin 

Redman,   C. 

Wausaukee 

Enterprise   Potato   Farm         Wausaukee 
Osborn,  W.   H.                               Marinette 

PIERCE 

COUNTY 

Ramsay,   R.   C. 

Peshtigo 

Blodgett,   Harold    K 

River  Falls 

Welton,  W.  II. 

Athelstane 

Mouness,  O. 

Beldenville 

POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


PORTAGE  COUNTY 


SIIAWANO    COUNTY 


Frost,    H.    G. 
Frost,  E.  D. 
Gunderson,  H.   A. 
Kollock,  W.  D. 
Petersen,  Peter 
Gibbs,    R.   C. 
Tobie,  E.  P. 
Johnson,   M.  W. 
Johnson,  M.  E. 
Crowell,   O.  A. 


Griffith,  R. 
Gruber,  J.  B. 
Hicks,    J.   W. 
Nelson,  C.  G. 
Peterson,  C.  August 
Reiner,   Edgar 
Hermanson,  James 
Saunders,    J.   B. 
Larson,  L.   J. 
Wagner,  Lewis 
Wollenberg,  Carl  P. 
Johnson,    August 
Peterson,  C.  R. 
Marheine,   W.   J. 
Anderson,    Otto 
Olson,  Alfred 
Olson,   Edwin 
Nelson,  Nels  A. 
Hammer,   P.   H. 
Young,   E.   A. 


De  Groff,   Fred 
Rood,  L.  P. 


Almond 

Sorley,    E.   B. 

Tigerton 

Almond 

Portage 
Bancroft 

TREMPEALEAU  COUNTY 

Amherst 

Imholdt,  B.  A. 

Trempealeau 

Stockton 

Amherst  Junction 

VERNON    COUNTY 

Almond 

Olson  ,   Alfred    * 

Viroqua 

Amherst 

Almond 

VILAS   COUNTY 

UNTY 

Adams,  W.  H. 

Eagle  River 

Phillips 
Catawba 

Evenson,  II.  O. 
Bolgar,  M.  J. 
Foelkner,    Philip 

Minocqua 
Minocqua 
Woodruff 

Prentice 

Mayo,  Jos. 

Eagle  River 

Ogema 

Radcliffe,  Amos 

Eagle  River 

Prentice 

Ulrich,   Francis 

Eagle  River 

Fifield 

Foelkner,    Christian 

Woodruff 

Prentice 

Park  Falls 

Ogema 

WALWORTII 

COUNTY 

Park  Falls 

Hagerty,   Thos. 

Delavan 

Phillips 

Spirit 

WAUKESHA 

COUNTY 

Spirit 

Ogema 

Milham,  Henry  A. 

Waukesha 

Spirit 

Ogema 

WAS  II  BURN 

COUNTY 

Spirit 

Lyster,  C.   P. 

Earl 

Spirit 
Catawba 
Phillips 

Crocker,  W.  C. 
Stubfors,   A.   A. 
Thompson  Co. 

Spooner 
Spooner 
Spooner 

JNTY 

WASHINGTOI 

<!  COUNTY 

Clinton 

Milton 

Opgenorth,  John 

Kewaskum 

RUSK    COUNTY 

Apker,    B.    M.  Weyerhauser 

Bates,   R.   W.  Bruce 

Clarkson,  M.  R.  Conrath 

Coon,   C.  P.  Bruce 

Kuehl,   E.  G.  Conrath 

Stahl,  E.  D.  Bruce 


WINNEBAGO   COUNTY 

Rasmussen,  N.  A.  Oshkosh 

Flaniken,  P.  Oshkosh 

WAUPACA   COUNTY 


Bailey,  Ralph  W. 

Waupaca 

SAUK    COUNTY 

Rowe,  A. 
Peter,   Nels 

Waupaca 
Nicholson 

Paddock,  F. 

Baraboo 

Jensen,  Soren 

Waupaca 

Carpenter,  Geo. 

Baraboo 

E.  E.  Brown 

Waupaca 

Hinrichs,     E. 

Reedsburg 

Jorgenson,   F.    T. 

Waupaca 

Toole,   W.  A. 

Baraboo 

Christenson,    C.    N. 

Waupaca 

Smith,    W.    E. 

Reedsburg 

Constance,  F.  It. 

Waupaca 

Larson,    L. 

lola 

SAWYER   COUNTY 

Anderson,  Guy 

Ogdensburg 

McClure,  Edward 

Hayward 

Pinkerton,  A.   J. 

Waupaca 

Mossbak,  Gunnar 

Hayward 

Romon.  F.  E. 

Weyauwega 

Rohlf,  W.  E. 

Hayward 

Potts,  A.  R. 

Waupaca 

Uhrenholdt,    S.    J. 

Hayward 

llolman,  C.   R. 

Waupaca 

POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


Miller,   C.   J. 

Waupaca 

WOOD   COUNTY 

Hoy,  Soren 

Waupaca 

Johnson,  H.  C. 

Sheridan 

Jackson,   M.    H.                      Grand  Rapids 

La  r  sen,  A.   J. 

Waupaca 

Hansen,    Ben                            Grand  Rapids 

Barnes,  A.  D. 

Waupaca 

Huser  Brothers                      Grand  Rapids 

Spencer,  F.  W. 

Waupaca 

MEMBERS   OUTSIDE   WISCONSIN 

WAUSIIARA 

COUNTY 

Bernard,    Frank                    Norway,  Mich. 

Butler,  Julia                           Evanston,  111. 

Bartel,  Otto 

Wautoma 

Cheyney,  H.  C.                          Chicago,  111. 

Gunderson,   J. 

Wautoma 

Denise,  F.                                   Chicago,  111. 

Brooks,    John 

Wild  Rose 

Johnson,    A.   G.       Iron  Mountain,  Mich. 

Johnson,  J.  B. 

Wautoma 

Lidbeck,  J.                 Iron  Mountain,  Mich. 

Byse,  G.  B. 

Wautoma 

Mess,  F.  J.                      Orillia,  Washington 

Elickson,   C. 

Wautoma 

Albert   Miller  and  Co.            Chicago,  111. 

Jacobs,   A.  F. 

Coloma 

Osterberg,  J.  G.       Iron  Mountain,  Mich. 

Fairbanks.   II.  E. 

Plainfield 

Smith,    R.    E.                 Minneapolis,  Minn. 

Bartel,   C.    W. 

Wautoma 

Starks   Co.,   L.                           Chicago,  111. 

POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


ASSOCIATION  WORK  IN  OUTLINE. 


The  subject  matter  in  this  bulletin,  submitted  by  a  widely  rep- 
resentative group  of  successful  men,  embodies  essentially  a  dis- 
cussion of  every  important  phase  of  "Association  work.  A  sum- 
mary outline  upon  important  phases  of  potato  improvement 
work  in  Wisconsin  is  given  as  a  preface  to  this  discussion. 

I.  Community  Organization  is  the  most  important  phase  of 
Association  work.     As  this  bulletin  goes  to  press  the  secretary 
is  receiving  constant  reports   from   potato  suctions  announcing 
complete  organization  in  the   interests  of    community  improve- 
ment here  stated. 

II.  Pure  Seed  Growing  on  a  community  basis  is  under  steady 
development  in  Wisconsin  and  is  receiving  direction  from  this 
Association. 

Potato  Seed  Dissemination  has  become  organized  on  a  sys- 
tematic basis.  One  standard  market  variety  will  be  adopted  in 
commercial  potato  centers  in  1914.  The  co-operation  of  growers 
and  affiliated  commercial  interests  has  been  completed  in  order  to 
secure  foundation  stock. 

Sorting  and  Grading  on  the  field  and  at  loading  stations 
will  be  given  better  attention  in  communities  where  uniform 
stock  is  handled. 

Potato  Field  Inspection  to  establish  satisfaction  and  a  guar- 
antee that  field  stock  is :  1.  Pure.  2.  Free  from  Disease  will 
be  inaugurated  in  1914. 

The  Wisconsin  Potato  Seed  Industry  will  develope  rapidly 
as  a  result  of  a  sj^stematie  effort  to  establish  the  above  guarantee. 


6  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

Restriction  of  Acreage  in  accordance  with  ability  to'  main- 
tain correct  cultural  conditions  and  practice  will  be  recommended 
to  growers.  Good  Seed, — Fertile  Potato  Soil, — Intensive  Cul- 
tivation— are  essential  to  Type,  Quality — and  Uniformity  in 
potato  shipments. 

Organization.  The  constitution  of  the  Wisconsin  Potato 
Growers  Association  provides  that  the  regular  staff  member  of 
the  Wisconsin  College  of  Agriculture  in  charge  of  potato  exten- 
sion shall  serve  as  the  regular  secretary  of  this  Association.  The 
work  here  reported  is  therefore  affiliated  in  interest  and  organiza- 
tion with  the  Horticultural  Department  of  the  University. 

Secretary. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


THE  "POTATO  SPECIAL"  IN  WISCONSIN. 


The  public  has  become  familiar  with  the  general  plan  of  run- 
ning special  exhibit  cars  in  the  interests  of  either  live  stock  or 
crop  improvement.  However,  the  "Potato  Specials"  which 
were  operated  in  1912  and  1913  have  proven  of  such  valuable 
service  to  this  Association,  that  a  brief  review  of.  results  is  im- 
portant. Two  facts  of  special  significance  stand  out  promi- 
nently: 


INTERIOR  VIEW  OF  THE  NORTH  WESTERN  LINE,  "POTATO  SPECIAL." 

Equipped   with   Standard   Market    Potatoes;   Exhibits    of   Potato   Diseases   and 
Other  Commercial  Potato  Exhibits. 

First.  A  large  number  of  the  best  potato  growers  in  Wiscon- 
sin have  become  members  of  the  Wisconsin  Potato  Growers'  As- 
sociation through  the  agency  of  .the  "  Potato  Special." 

Second.  Some  of  the  best  potato  seed  stock  which  is  now  be- 
ing used  for  community  improvement  work,  was  also  located 
through  the  agency  of  the  ' '  Potato  Special. ' '  These  two  results 
alone  more  than  compensate  the  effort  which  was  made  to  make 
the  plan  a  success. 


8 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


The  special  exhibit  car  is  distinctly  a  feature  of  community  in- 
terest. The  work  has  received  the  co-operation  of  growers, 
buyers,  railroad  men,  bankers,  commercial  clubs,  schools;  in 
fact  every  commercial  and  public  spirited  agency  in  the  commu- 
nity has  been  interested  in  this  movement. 


MAI'   SI!OWI.\<;    Till-:  TOUR  OF  THE   1912   "POTATO   SPECIAL"   OVIOK   TUN 

SOO  LINE  AND  THE  1913  "POTATO  SPECIAL"  OVER  THE  NORTH 

WESTERN    AND    OMAHA    LINES.      APPROXIMATELY    3,000 

PEOPLE  INSPECTED  EACH  OF  THESE  OARS. 

The  "Potato  Specials"  have  been  operated  in  Wisconsin  under 
the  direction  of  the  Horticultural  Department  of  the  University 
and  the  Wisconsin  Potato  Growers  Association  in  co-operation 
with  the  railroads.  These  cars  have  been  equipped  with  a  wide 
range  of  commercial  exhibits  including  standard  potato  seed, 
economic  potato  diseases,  spray  mixtures,  spraying  machinery, 
commercial  fertilizers,  potato  soils,  and  many  charts  and  photo- 
graphs illustrating  correct  cultural  practices. 

The  Association  repeats  here — A  large  amount  of  excellent 
seed  stock  is  lost  annually  in  Wisconsin  for  all  purposes  of  seed 
improvement,  simply  because  the  value  of  this  stock  has  not 
been  appreciated  but  it  has  been  mixed  and  sold  with  inferior 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


9 


table  stock.  A  large  number  of  our  growers  do  not  realize  that 
the  stock  needed  for  community  improvement  is  now  grown 
within  the  state.  »  *  **  •*  ^ 

Repeatedly  on  the  tour  of  the  " Potato  Special,"  the  above 
conditions  were  found.  Measures  were  taken  at  once  to  remedy 
the  difficulty.  A  large  amount  of  excellent  seed  stock  was  re- 
served for  1914  planting.  Many  growers  have  realized  for  the 
first  time  that  potato  improvement  is  not  merely  an  individual 
but  a  community  effort. 

The  elimination  of  mixed  stock  has  been  promoted  through 
the  agency  of  the  "Potato  Special."  Only  standard  market 
varieties  were  shown  on  these  cars.  At  many  stop-over  points 
growers  were  surprised  to  discover  that  they  were  growing 
some  such  standard  variety  as  Rural  New  Yorker  or  Green 
Mountain  under  a  name  which  was  introduced  as  a  new  variety 
or  novelty.  This  confusion  is  rapidly  being  straightened  out  in 
Wisconsin. 

Special  meetings  have 
been  held  in  cooperation 
with  growers  and  commer- 
cial interests  at  each  stop 
over  point.  A  practical 
discussion  has  been  given  on 
topics  of  special  relation  to 
local  conditions.  Growers 
have  been  urged  to  arrange 
local  exhibits  and  this  fea- 
ture often  has  been  the 
means  of  uniting  upon  a 
plan  of  seed  improvement 
for  the  community. 

At  the  close  of  the  1912 
tour  at  Waupaca,  represen- 
tatives of  the  commercial  po- 
tato sections  of  the  state  met 
in  a  two  days'  convention, 
under  the  direction  of  the 
Horticultural  Department 
of  the  University  and  organ- 
ized the  Wisconsin  Potato 
Growers  Association. 


T.   A.   HOVERSTAD. 


Agricultural 


Commission — Soo 
Railroad, 


Line 


10 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


THE    COUNTY    AGRICULTURAL    REPRESEN 

TATIVE  AND  COMMUNITY  POTATO 

IMPROVEMENT. 


The  Association  takes  special  pleasure  in  calling  attention  to 
the  important  relation  of  the  county  agricultural  representative  to 
potato  improvement  work  in  Wisconsin.  It  is  of  special  interest 
that  in  each  county  where  a  representative  has  been  secured  the 
potato  industry  is  of  economic  importance.  These  men  are  now  in 
the  field  and  are  actively  carrying  out  the  policies  of  this  associa- 
tion. That  this  work  is  practical  and  efficient  can  best  be  judged 
from  the  very  brief  statements  we  are  able  to  publish  from  these 
men.  No  other  part  of  this  bulletin  represents  better  the  plan  of 
work  of  this  association. 

At  the  time  of  the  1913  convention  at  Rhinelander  Mr.  Luther 
was  county  agricultural  representative  for  Oneida  County.  Oneida 
County  has  been  very  active  in  potato  improvement  work.  The  As- 
sociation desire  to  express  appreciation  of  the  work  which  was  done 
in  the  Oneida  County  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Luther  in  the  in- 
terest of  the  1913  convention.  In  January  Mr.  Luther  was  ap- 
pointed State  Supervisor  of  County  Agricultural  Representatives. 
Referring  to  the  work  in  Oneida  County  last  year,  Mr  Luther  says. 

"Upon  my  plots  during  the  last  two  years 
I  have  used  pure  bred  Green  Mountain  po- 
tatoes, of  the  Round  White  Family.  The 
tubers  run  very  regular  in  size  and  are 
smooth  and  white  and  of  fine  cooking  qual- 
ity. So  far  as  yield  is  concerned  they  are 
fully  equal  to  the  mixed  and  scrub  stock 
produced  by  farmers  working  under  rather 
good  cultural  conditions  and  I  think  far  su- 
perior to  the  yields  ordinarily  reported. 
The  people  who  saw  these  potatoes  desired 
to  secure  them  for  table  use  at  a  price  above 
the  local  market  price  and  I  could  have  se- 
cured sales  for  a  large  production  had  I  had  the  potatoes.  My 


E.    L.    LUTHER 

State  Supervisor  of 
County  Agricultural 
Representatives. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  11 

seed  stock  selected  from  high  producing  hills  is  also  in  demand 
among  the  farmers  but  all  that  I  have  will  be  used  to  pay  prom- 
ised premiums  and  to  get  boys'  and  girls'  potato  clubs  started. 

"I  might  add  that  this  fall  and  winter  I  could  have  placed 
several  cars  of  pure  potato  seed  of  the  Round  White  Family 
but  I  could  not  find  varieties  guaranteed  pure  in  sufficient 
quantities  to  fill  whole  cars  and  so  the  opportunity  to  sell  seed 
potatoes  at  fancy  prices  fell  through. 

"So  far  as  I  can  do  so  I  shall  get  the  county  men  to  urge 
whole  communities  to  grow  as  their  leader  one  variety  of  the 
Round  White  Family  and  make  it  the  specialty." 

On  March  21,  the  potato  growers  of  Langlade  County  met  at 
Antigo  and  organized  the-  Langlade  County  Potato  Growers  Asso- 
ciation. Langlade  County  is  therefore  the  first  to  perfect  county 
organization  in  Wisconsin.  Several  other  counties  in  the  state  will 
organize  before  the  1914  planting  season.  The  officers  of  the  Lang- 
lade County  Association  are:  President,  L.  W.  Pilyes,  Bass, Lake; 
Vice  President,  W.  L.  Sparks,  Parrish,  Secretary,  F.  Swoboda,  Antigo; 
Treasurer,  C.  C.  Sorrenson,  Antigo. 

Referring  to  the  work  in  Langlade  County  Mr.  Swoboda  says, 

"Production  of  high  class  potatoes  of  uniform  type  for  seed 
and  consumption  purposes  will  be  the  slogan  in  Langlade 
County  for  1914.  The  newly  organized 
Langlade  County  Potato  Growers'  Associa- 
tion containing  in  its  membership  many  of 
the  leading  growers  of  the  county  will  work 
great  good  in  crystallizing  the  sentiment 
of  farmers  of  the  county  in  favor  of  the  bet- 
ter type  of  tuber.  Boys  and  girls  will  be 
interested  in  the  movement  through  potato 
contests  conducted  under  the  supervision  of 
the  County  Superintendent  and  the  County 
Representative.  A  revised  county  fair  county  Agricultural 
premium  list  eliminating  unimportant  var- 
icties  and  giving  more  substantial  premiums 
to  the  varieties  chosen  will  foster  the  movement. 

The  co-operation  of  every  farmers'  organization  in  the  county 
is  being  enlisted  in  the  campaign  and  before  March  1st  the 
Granges  had  already  spoken  for  over  a  hundred  bushels  of  a  car 
load  or  more  of  seed  stock  to  be  brought  in  and  disseminated. 

County  growers  who  participated  successfully  in  the  Rhine- 


12  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

lander  exhibit,  long  before  spring  opened  began  to  taste  of  the 
first  fruits  of  success,  in  orders  of  one  hundred  bushel  and  car 
load  lots  of  seed  stock  far  beyond  their  capacity  to  supply. 

To  enumerate  some  of  the  details  to  be  undertaken.  One  of 
the  banks  has  agreed  to  provide  the  seed  for  the  boys'  and  girls' 
potato  growing  contests.  The  County  Fair  Association  will  ap- 
propriate $75  in  prizes  for  these  contests  including  two  scholar- 
ships to  the  Boys  and  Girls  Short  Course  at  the  College  of  Ag- 
riculture. 

Prizes  of  $5,  $4,  $3  and  $2  for  a  first,  second,  third  and 
fourth  prize  respectively  on  leading  varieties  have  been  pro- 
vided by  the  County  Fair  officers  instead  of  the  usual  small  pre- 
miums for  a  host  of  varieties. 

Seed  inspection  and  certification  is  called  for  in  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  newly  organized  potato  growers'  association.  Pro- 
visions for  better  marketing  of  the  crop  are  also  included." 

At  a  recent  meeting  at  Augusta  in  Eau  Claire  County  a  confer- 
ence was  held  in  the  interests  of  uniting  upon  uniform  commercial 
standards  in  Eau  Claire  County.  Decisive  action  was  taken  by 
growers,  buyers  and  other  interests  in  uniting  upon  pure  round 
white  stock.  Mr.  Ingalls'  statement  indicates  the  plan  of  work 
adopted. 

"With  reference  to  local  conditions  governing  the  potato  in- 
dustry in  Eau  Claire  County,  I  beg  to  state,  that  there  is  quite  a 
general  movement  right  in  line  with  the  sub- 
ject of  the  Rhinelaiidcr    convention,  "Pure 
Seed  of  Standard  Market  Varieties  For  All 
Commercial  Purposes."    Rural  New  Yorker 
is  being  given  precedence.     The  probabilities 
are  that  there  is  a  large  amount  of  pure  seed 
now  on  hand   among  our   various  growers, 
but  because  we   are   not   absolutely  sure  in 
every  case,  plans  are  now  in  the  making  for 
MR  "TNQALLS  •       ne^  inspection  this  coming  season, 
county  Agricultural         A  large  number  of  growers  co-operating 
E^ITcTairf  county*0'     with  local  Buyers  have  ordered  from  one  to 
fifty   bushels   of   seed   known   to   be   pure. 
Also  through  the  co-operation  of  the  county  superintendent  of 
schools  and  the  teachers  of  the  rural  schools,  some  240  boys  and 
girls  from  different  parts  of  the  county  have  accepted  a  peck 
of  pure  seed  on  the  condition  that  it  is  to  be  given  proper  cul- 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  13 

tural  methods  and  not  allowed  to  mix  with  other  stock.  Chil- 
dren will  be  encouraged  to  exhibit  at  the  county  fair  and  other 
centers.  Liberal  prizes  will  be  offered. 

The  total  orders  for  pure  seed  aggregate  something  over  1,000 
bushels.  With  reasonable  yields  considerable  uniformity  should 
result  so  that  in  two  years  Eau  Claire  county  will  be  a  great 
center  not  only  for  choice  eating  stock,  but  also  for  select  seed." 

On  March  27,  representatives  of  the  Price  County  Society  of  Equity 
met  at  the  Court  House  in  Phillips  to  consider  means  to  improve  the 
standard  of  the  potato  crop.  Arrangements  have  been  made  to  secure 
pure  seed — the  Price  County  growers  will  arrange  to  have  a  limited 
amount  of  pure  seed  grown  on  one  or  two  farms — for  general  distribu- 
tion next  year. 

Calling  attention  to  the  work  in  Price  County,  Mr.  Richards, 
County  agricultural  representative,  says: 

"Although  dairy  farming  is  the  main  in- 
terest of  Price  County  farmers,  the  potato 
industry  is  of  great  importance  here.  The 
potato  crop  is  a  crop  which  fits  in  very  nicely 
with  the  dairy  system  of  farming. 

"I  am  going  to  put  forth  every  effort  to 
stimulate  the  potato  industry  and  develop 

.,      ,  T  mi  i        MR-    G-    RICHARDS. 

it  along  proper  lines.  There  is  a  great  need  County  Agl.icultural 
of  standardization  of  the  varieties  grown  by  Representative  for 

J       Price  County. 

the  farmers  here.     Th  county  fair  premium 
list  was  revised  last  year,  so  that  prizes  were  offered  on  only  8 
groups.     This  will  aid  in  calling  farmers'  attention  to  the  fact 
that  too  many  varieties  of  potatoes  are  being  grown. 

There  is  also  a  great  need  for  the  production  of  pure  seed. 
Every  effort  will  be  put  forth  to  get  as  many  farmers  as  possible 
to  purchase  small  lots  of  pure  seed  this  spring.  A  boys  and 
girls  potato  growing  contest  will  be  conducted  this  coming  sea- 
son. The  children  will  be  furnished  with  a  peck  of  pure  seed 
potatoes  and  will  be  required  to  exhibit  one  peck  at  the  county 
fair  in  competition  with  other  children,  for  prizes.  This  will 
mean  the  pure  seed  potatoes  will  be  introduced  on  at  least  100 
farms  in  Price  County.  Carefully  prepared  directions  will  be 
given  the  children  telling  them  how  to  grow  the  potatoes  and 
urging  them  to  select  their  seed  carefully  and  keep  it  pure." 


14 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


MR.  GUNDERSON. 

County  Agricultural 
Representative        for 

Yilas  County. 


F.    OTIS. 

County  Agricultural 
Repi-esentative  for 
Rarron  County. 


Mil.   A.   H.  COLE. 

County  Agricultural 
Representative  for 
Lincoln  County. 


R.  A.  KOLB. 

County  Agricult  ur.-il 
Representative  for 
Taylor  County. 


County  agricultural  representatives  were  ap- 
pointed this  year  in  Lincoln  and  Vilas  Counties 
in  addition  to  the  counties  above  mentioned. 
Each  of  these  counties  has  been  active  in  the 
work  of  this  association  and  the  representatives 
appointed  will  find  the  work  of  potato  improve- 
ment started  and  ready  for  definite  organization. 
Through  co-operation  on  the  part  of  growers  in 
each  county  a  large  exhibit  was  sent  to  the  1913 
convention.  Mr.  A.  H.  Cole  was  in  charge  of  the 
wrork  in  Lincoln  County,  Mr.  Gunderson  in  Vilas 
County. 


Barren  County  sent  an  exhibit  to  Rhine- 
lander  in  charge  of  Mr.  F.  D.  Otis,  county  re- 
presentative. Barren  County  is  an  important 
center  for  the  growing  of  varieties  of  long 
white  or  Burbank  group.  The  county  sent  also 
excellent  exhibits  of  Irish  Cobbler  and  Rural 
New  Yorker  stock.  Several  towns  in  this 
county  each  handle  from  400-800  cars  of  po- 
tatoes annually. 


A  center  for  the  production  of  the  Green 
Mountain  variety  will  be  established  in  Lincoln 
County.  On  Saturday,  April  11,  the  farmers 
of  the  county  met  under  the  direction  of  the 
County  Agricultural  representative,  Mr.  Cole 
and  organized  the  Lincoln  County  Order  of 
the  Wisconsin  Experiment  Association.  Thirty- 
five  charter  members  enrolled.  Mr.  A.  H. 
Morse  was  elected  president,  Mr.  Hall  Brooks, 
vice  president,  and  Mr.  A.  H.  Cole,  County  Rep- 
resentative, was  elected  secretary. 


Mr.  R.  A.  Kolb,  County  agricultural  represen- 
tative for  Taylor  County,  took  charge  of  the 
work  in  that  county  early  this  year.  A  farmers 
course  was  held  at  Medford  on  March  26-27. 
At  .this  time  a  Taylor  County  Order  of  the  Wis- 
consin Experiment  Association  was  formed  and 
arrangements  were  made  to  secure  foundation 
seed  stock  for  this  year.  Mr.  Kolb  is  enthusiastic 
over  the  work  in  Taylor  County  and  reports  that 
the  outlook  is  bright  for  a  very  successful  season 
in  field,  work. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  AT  STARKS, 
ONEIDA  COUNTY,  WIS. 

W.  B.  ANGELO,  Stevens  Point,  Wis. 


Mr.  Angelo  furnished  the  following  article  at  the  request  of  The 
Wisconsin  Potato  Growers  Association.  Starks,  Wis.,  is  located  ten 
miles  east  of  Rhinelander  on  the  Soo  Line  Railroad. 

The  plans  of  the  Starks  Company  probably  involve  the  most  ex- 
tensive plan  of  development  ever  undertaken  with  the  potato  crop  in 
the  United  States. 

In  a  letter  to  the  secretary,  Mr.  Angelo  states  that  including  opera- 
tions in  Oneida  and  Marinette  counties,  the  company  will  in  1914  raise 
750  acres  of  potatoes;  between  400-500  acres  of  oats  in  addition  to  an 
extensive  acreage  of  clover.  The  Company  also  plans  to  clear  and 
break  one  thousand  acres  of  land  in  1914. 


The  L.  Starks  Co.,  of  Chi- 
cago, Illinois,  wholesalers  in 
potatoes,  having  unlimited 
faith  in.  the  potato  producing 
qualities  of  the  soil  in  North- 
ern Wisconsin,  have  acquired 
approximately  twenty-five 
thousand  acres  of  land  in  that 
section  for  the  express  pur- 
pose of  developing  the  greater 
part  of  the  same  into  agricul- 
tural lands  for  the  raising  of 
potatoes,  grain  and  clover  un- 
der the  three  year  rotation 
plan.  This  company  clears 
the  land  of  brush  and  stumps 
and  thoroughly  plows,  discs 
and  pulverizes  the  same  by 
the  aid  of  the  latest  im- 
proved machinery  including 


MR.    L.    STARKS. 
President,    L.    Starks    Co.,    Chicago. 


16 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


heavy  steam  power,  so  that  the  soil  is  in  perfect  condition 
for  the  planting  of  the  first  year's  crop.  The  proceeds 
of  the  first  year's  crop  of  potatoes  raised  on  these  lands  will 
in  the  most  instances  pay  the  original  cost  of  the  land,  the  clear- 
ing of  the  same,  and  the  total  cost  of  producing  the  crop  up 
to  the  time  it  is  placed  in  the  warehouse,  and  it  is  a  certainty 
that  in  any  event  two  years'  operation  will  leave  this  high 
class  improved  land  as  a  net  profit  of  such  operation. 


PULLING  AND  PILING  STUMPS  BY  STEAM  POWER  AT  STARKS  ONEIDA 

COUNTY. 

This  is  a,  development,  not  a  speculative  proposition.  The 
L.  Starks  Co.  are  not  now  offering  any  of  these  lands  for  sale, 
as  they  contemplate  the  clearing  and  development  of  the  greater 
part  of  their  holdings.  When  L.  Starks,  President  of  the 
L.  Starks  Co.,  first  embarked  in  business,  he  realized  the  fact 
that  an  employee  whose  compensation  was  contingent  upon  the 
success  or  failure  of  the  work  delegated  to  him  usually  ren- 
dered more  efficient  and  valuable  service  than  where  employed 
on  a  fixed  salary.  The  L.  Starks  Co.  have  pursued  that  plan 
where  possible  down  to  the  present  time,  believing  that  by  put- 
ting the  employee  in  a  position  where  his  compensation  is  de- 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


17 


pendent  upon  the  results  of  his  work  they  will  get  far  more  sat- 
isfactory results  than  under  any  other  system.  The  employee 
will  get  more  money  for  his  services,  but  he  is  also  earning  more 
money  for  his  employer.  Applying  this  principle  where  pos- 
sible to  the  cultivation  of  their  lands,  the  company  selects  their 
fanners,  where  possible,  from  the  ranks  of  their  employees  en- 
gaged in  the  development  work.  By  so  doing  the}7  have  the 
benefit  of  previous  experience  with  them  for  the  purpose  of 


FITTING     NEW     BREAKING     WITH     POWER     MACHINERY     AT     STARKS 

ONEIDA  COUNTY. 

- 

determining  if  the  integrity,  industry  and  ability  of  such  em- 
ployees is  sufficient  to  enable 'them  to  successfully  handle  the 
work.  These  employees  or  tenants  invest  their  savings  in  equip- 
ment. The  Company  aids  them  where  they  do  not  have  enough 
means  to  equip  themselves,  and  they  farm  the  lands  entrusted  to 
them  on  shares  for  the  Company.  They  are  permitted  and  en- 
couraged to  work  for  the  L.  Starks  Co.  for  cash  on  the  develop- 
ment work  whenever  their  services  are  not  required  to  properly 
farm  the  lands  entrusted  to  them,  so  that  they  may  lose  no  time 
and  may  be  earning  something  every  day. 


18 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


JOHN  HESS. 

Field   Superintendent,   Starks, 
Wis. 


Such  farm  employees  a^e  under  the  constant  supervision  and 
direction  of  Mr.  Hess,  Farm  Superintendent  and  expert  farmer 
at  Starks,  Oneida  County,  Wisconsin,  who  exerts  as  much  ef- 
fort to  make  their  work  a  success  as 
any  other  branch  of  the  company's 
work.  By  this  method  these  employ- 
ees will  be  developed  into  expert 
farmers,  thoroughly  familiar  with  all 
the  conditions  incident  to  the  growing 
of  these  crops  in  Northern  Wisconsin, 
and  when  their  savings  approximate 
an  amount  to  warrant  the  actual  pur- 
chase of  lands  for  their  own  use,  it  is 
not  a  far  drawn  conclusion  that  the 
Company  will  permit  them  to  pur- 
chase such  lands  as  they  may  wish  to 
buy.  The  actual  value  of  the  land  has 
been  determined  by  such  employee  by 
virtue  of  his  years  of  experience  in 
cultivating  the  same. 
The  company  erects  substantial  farm  buildings  on  the  wild 
land  to  be  cleared,  which  are  used  as  a  dwelling  place  for  the 
men  engaged  in  such  work.  The  following  year  the  buildings 
arc  ready  for  occupancy  by  the  farmer  who  is  to  farm  the 
lands;  and  during  the  winter  time  all  the  employees  are  en- 
gaged in  getting  out  forest  products  from  the  lands  of  the  com- 
pany, thereby  giving  them  all  employment  the  year  round. 
By  the  above  plan  of  operation  the  land  is  cleared  more  rapidly 
and  consequently  more  rapidly  converted  into  productive  farm 
lands,  and  the  farmer  with  no  capital  except  his  intelligence 
and  labor  will  earn  sufficient  money  to  buy  an  improved  farm 
in  less  time  than  under  any  other  system  of  operation. 

The  company  operates  a  general  store,  blacksmith  and  ma- 
chine shop  at  Starks.  A  public  hall  is  maintained  for  the  free 
use  of  the  residents  at  that  place  for  religious  or  amusement 
purposes,  a  public  school  is  maintained  for  their  children,  and 
with  the  aid  of  the  L.  Starks  Co.,  the  industry  and  thrift  of  its 
employees,  Starks,  Oneida  County,  Wisconsin,  bids  fair  to  be 
the  leading  potato  producing  section  of  the  State. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


COMMERCIAL   POTATO  GROWING  IN 
NORTHERN    WISCONSIN. 


(The  following  statements  by  three  successful  men  illustrates  the  im- 
portance of  the  potato  crop  as  a  factor  in  building  homes  in  the  com- 
mercial centers  of  upper  Wisconsin.  Potato  extension  work  in  Wisconsin 
has  been  organized,  on  a  plan  which  involves  close  co-operation  with 
the  men  who  are  developing  the  newer  sections  of  the  state.) 

This  Association  cannot  attempt  to  give  the  proper  credit 
which  is  due  to  all  individuals  and  communities  who  were  active 
in  association  work  during  1913.  It  is  important,  however,  to 
call  attention  at  this  point  to  the  work  of  a  few  men  who  have 
been  successful  through  following  correct  cultural  practices  and 
high  commercial  standards. 

Mr.  S.  J.  Uhrenholdt  of  Seeley  is 
one  of  the  most  successful  growers  in 
the  northwestern  part  of  the  state. 
Seeley  is  located  on  the  Omaha  Line 
about  nine  miles  north  of  Hayward 
in  Sawyer  County.  The  prevailing 
type  of  soil  is  a  sandy  loam. 

On  the  occasion  of  the  tour  of  the 
"Potato  Special"  over  the  Omaha 
Line,  a  stop  was  made  at  Seeley.  The 
reader  will  appreciate  better  the  brief 
statement  made  here  by  Mr.  Uhren- 
holdt by  knowing  that  fourteen  years 
ago  he  arrived  at  Seeley  with  prac- 
tically no  financial  resources.  He  has 
built  a  home  modern  in  all  respects  as 
to  lighting,  heating  and  ventilation. 
Two  very  interesting  features  of  his  farm  practice  are  not  men- 
tioned in  his  statement,  namely — he  has  constructed  a  large  ce- 
ment pit  for  the  conservation  of  barn  yard  manures  and  he  has 
also  adopted  a  practical  plan  for  the  preservation  and  renewal 


S.  J.  UHRENHOLDT. 
Seeley,  Douglas  County. 


20  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

of  a  fine  tract  of  white  pine  and  mixed  hard  wood  timber.  His 
statement  follows : 

"I  have  resided  in  Wisconsin  for  more  than  thirty-one  years. 
I  located  at  Waupaca  in  1882  coming  direct  from  Denmark. 
In  the  spring  of  1900,  I  moved  with  a  family  of  seven  child- 
ren to  our  present  location  at  Seeley,  which  was  at  that  time  not 
yet  established.  Here  we  moved  into  a  one-room  house  with  an 
attic,  a  shed  serving  as  a  barn.  We  cleared  and  planted  to  crops 
8  acres  the  first  summer  and  10  the  second.  We  now  have  about 
100  acres  under  cultivation.  I  plant  as  many  potatoes  as  is  con- 
sistent with  our  method  of  crop  rotation.  This  is  a  four  year 
rotation,  exclusive  of  the  breaking,  planting  first  potatoes,  then 
grain  and  seeding,  leave  the  ground  seeded  for  two  years,  after 
which  I  start  the  rotation  over  again.  I  have  always  avoided 
planting  potatoes  twice  in  succession  on  the  same  piece  of 
ground.  By  way  of  cultivation,  I  like  best  to  plow  medium  deep 
in  the  spring,  applying  the  manure  ahead  of  the  plow  so  that  it 
will  be  turned  under  as  soon  as  possible  after  getting  on  the 
ground.  I  follow  the  plow  with  the  drag  immediately,  marking 
and  planting  as  soon  as  possible.  I  use  the  check  row  system 
and  hand  planters  and  plant  the  seed  3  to  4  inches  deep.  Deeper 
planting  has  not  proven  successful  under  the  existing  conditions 
here.  I  use  the  one  horse  cultivators,  setting  them  deep  and  wide 
while  plants  are  small,  and  gradually  draw  them  in  and  culti- 
vate shallower  as  plants  get  larger,  and  also  hill  slightly  the  last 
cultivations. 

The  seed  I  always  select  from  my  best  matured  fields,  and  use 
considerable  care  in  throwing  out  any  scabby  or  otherwise  af- 
fected tubers.  I  cut  potato  seed  in  the  field  as  needed  for  plant- 
ing and  use  care  not  to  expose  any  cut  seed  to  the  direct  heat  of 
the  sun.  During  the  past  4  years  my  potatoes  have  averaged  200 
bushels  marketable  stock  per  acre." 


Langlade  County  is  fortunate  in  having  a  large  number  of 
growers  who  have  determined  that  the  potato  industry  in  that 
county  shall  develop  according  to  the  highest  commercial  stand- 
ards. Mr.  Anton  Follstad  of  Elcho  has  been  one  of  the  most 
successful  growers  in  the  county.  Mr.  Follstad  took  first  prize 
at  the  1913  convention  on  Rural  New  Yorker  stock,  and  during 
the  present  winter  has  furnished  considerable  seed  for  commu- 
nity development  work  in  the  state.  In  a  letter  to  the  secretary 
Mr.  Follstad  says,  "I  have  always  planted  my  potatoes  in 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


21 


drills  30  inches  apart  and  the  hills  14 — 16 
inches  apart  in  the  row.  I  have  practiced 
level  cultivation  largely  but  run  the  shovel 
plows  between  the  rows  to  facilitate  digging 
with  the  potato  digger. 

Yields  have  ranged  between  200 — 400 
bushels  per  acre.  Three  years  ago  I  kept 
an  accurate  account  of  expenses  and  re- 
ceipts on  a  four  acre  field  of  potatoes.  I 
harvested  1,226  bushels  from  this  four  acre 
field  and  sold  them  at  a  local  warehouse  for 
30c  per  bushel.  This  field  netted  above  all 
expenses  $60  per  acre. 


Mr.  A.  H.  Morse  of  Tomahawk  has 
made  a  success  with  the  Green  Moun- 
tain variety.  Mr.  Morse's  field  was 
inspected  by  the  secretary  of  this  as- 
sociation last  fall  and  this  field  was 
undoubtedly  one  of  the  best  grown  in 
AVisconsin  last  year.  Mr.  Morse  has 
made  a  success  of  seed  selection  for 
several  years  and  his  results  are  con- 
clusive evidence  of  the  benefits  of 
field  selection  of  seed  and  attention 
to  detail  relative  to  cultural  prac- 
tices. Mr.  Morse  sold  his  entire  sur- 
plus of  Green  Mountain  stock  for  seed 
and  reports  the  following  figures 
from  6%  acres. 


ANTON    FOLLSTAD. 

Elcho,    Langlarte 
County. 


A.  H.  MORSE. 
Tomahawk,     Lincoln    County. 


Sold   170   bu.  Kings   at   55   cts $93 . 50 

Sold  246  bu.  Green  Mountain  at  55c 135.30 

500  bu.  Green  Mountain  at  $1.00 ".     500.00 

Reserved    35   bu.   table  stock 35.00 

Reserved    90    bu.    seed 90.00 


Total    $853.80 

Tomahawk  is  the  center  of  the  potato  industry  in  Lincoln 
county.  The  Association  of  Commerce,  the  local  banks,  the  busi- 
ness houses,  the  county  agricultural  representative  and  the  local 
paper,  edited  by  Mr.  R.  G.  Lee,  are  all  co-operating  with  the 
farmers  in  the  development  of  the  potato  industry  of  Lincoln 
county. 


22 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


ASSOCIATION  WORK  IN  THE  CENTRAL 
WISCONSIN  POTATO  BELT. 


M.   O'CONNOR. 
Hancock,  Wis. 

The  O'Connor  Farm 
is  operated  by  Mr. 
M.  O'Connor  and  E. 
O'Connor. 


The  combined  yield  of  potatoes  from  Waupaca,  AVaushara  and 
Portage  counties  approximates  9,000,000  bushels. 

As  this  bulletin  goes  to  press  the  associa- 
tion is  pleased  to  report  that  plans  have 
been  made  for  an.  active  season's  work  in 
central  Wisconsin  in  the  interest  of  improved 
commercial  standards.  This  work  will  take 
the  form  of  definite  organization  among  the 
growers  in  the  interests  of  community  im- 
provement. Waupaca  county  has  arranged 
to  organize  early  in  May. 

A  special  potato  exhibit  car  will  be  run 
over  the  Northwestern  Line  this  spring  in  the 
interests  of  pure  potato  seed  for  1914 
planting.  The  tour  of  the  car  will  cover, 
Grand  Rapids,  Almond,  Wild  Rose,  Wau- 
toma  and  the  following  points  on  the  new  Northwestern  Line 
through  Adams  county,  Dalton,  Grand  Marsh,  Adams,  Friend- 
ship, Oxford  and  Brooks.  The  accompanying  map  shows  the 
extensive  potato  terirtory  tributary  to  this  tour. 

Farmers  will  be  asked  to  bring  in  samples  of  the  seed  stock 
they  will  plant  this  year.  Every  possible  effort  will  be  made  to 
aid  in  the  dissemination  of  a  limited  amount  of  pure  seed  in  each 
community — as  foundation  stock  for  future  planting. 

Referring  to  this  work,  the  Association  desires  to  call  attention 
to  the  fact  that  important  organized  commercial  and  educational 
interests  are  affiliating  in  potato  improvement  work  in  central 
Wisconsin.  The  County  Fair  Associations  will  co-operate 
through  the  operation  of  special  potato  growing  contests  among 
school  children.  The  distinct  commercial  phases  of  potato  im- 
provement will  receive  the  attention  of  county  and  local  potato 
growers  associations,  Commercial  Clubs  and  Advancement  Asso- 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


23 


ciations,  potato  buyers  and  shippers.     Many  local  editors  in  cen- 
tral Wisconsin  are  rendering  efficient  service  in  this  work. 

There  are  approximately  90,000  acres  devoted  to  commercial 
potato  growing  in  central  Wisconsin.  Although  this  is  the  most 
important  crop  industry  of  the  section,  the  reader  should  under- 
stand that  diversified  and  dairy  farming  is  under  active  develop- 
ment. 


fRlEMD5HIP 

o 

'  DAM  5 


MARQUETTE;  cMGRccn  co. 

RAPID  M'AR5H  J V^^— 


THE  TOUR  OF  THE  "POTATO   SPECIAL"  THROUGH  CENTRAL  WISCON- 
SIN,   OVER    THE    NORTH    WESTERN    LINE,   APRIL    18-25,    1014. 

The   Organization    of   Potato    Improvement  Work   is  now   in   Active   Operation 

in  this  Section. 

All  the  varying  grades  of  fertile  sandy  loam  and  clay  loam 
soils  can  be  found  in  the  so  called  ' '  Central  Potato  Belt. ' '  A 
large  number  of  fine  stock  farms  are  located  in  this  section. 
These  statements  arc  made  in  correction  of  an  opinion  which 
sometimes  becomes  current,  that  the  central  potato  section  of 
Wisconsin  is  of  a  uniform  light  sandy  type  which  has  become  de- 
pleted by  constant  cropping.  This  is  not  a  fact. 

It  is  a  fact  that  in  some  sections  a  large  amount  of  stock  is 
raised  on  worn  out  soils,  that  coarse  varieties  have  been  intro- 
duced ;  that  good  and  inferior  stock  often  is  mixed  under  present 
conditions  of  sorting  and  grading.  This  condition  would  natur- 


24 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


ally  be  expected  in  the  development  of  a  cash  crop  like  the  po- 
tato and  where  neither  local  nor  state  organizations  have  existed 
to  give  a  desirable  commercial  direction  to  the  industry. 

Growers  and  affiliated  interests  have  been  awakened  to  the  fact 
that  the  industry  in  central  Wisconsin  must  be  safe  guarded  by, 

1.  Elimination  of  undesirable  varieties. 


S.    S.   CHANDLER. 

A  retired  farmer  now  residing  in 
Waupaca  City  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Waupaca  County.  Mr.  Chandler  for 
several  seasons  co-operated  with  the 
Wisconsin  Experiment  Station  in  field 
demonstration  work  upon  the  growing 
of  standard  potato  seed  and  field  spray- 
ing for  the  control  of  blight. 

Mr.  R.  C.  Gibbs  is  a  grower  of  the 
Peerless  variety.  Mr.  Gibbs  has  for 
several  seasons  practiced  careful  se- 
lection with  this  variety.  The  town 
pf  Stockton  in  Portage  County  ppob- 


R.  C.  GIBBS. 

ably  grows  more  Peerless  than  any 
other  town  in  the  state.  Mr.  Gibbs 
reports  that  this  year  special  care 
will  be  taken  by  growers  in  his  sec- 
tion to  keep  Peerless  stock  pure. 
On  the  irrigated  sections  of  Colorado 
this  variety  is  known  as  Pearl.  Colo- 
rado growers  are  looking  for  a  reliable 
source  from  which  seed  stock  can  be 
secured  and  the  town  of  Stockton  has 
sent  a  large  amount  of  seed  into  Colo- 
rado in  supply  of  this  demand. 


2.  The  adoption  of  a  uniform  commercial  type. 

3.  Improved  methods  of  sorting  and  grading  at  loading  sta- 
tions. 

4.  Restriction  of  acreage  in  accordance  with  ability  to  main- 
tain fertility  by  proper  rotation  of  crop  and  the  use  of  manures. 

5.  Adoption  of  preventive  measures  against  the  introduction 
and  spread  of  dangerous  diseases,  subject  to  spread  by  seed  dis- 
semination. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


25 


EAELY  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  AT  WAUPACA. 

(The  following  brief  statement  has  been  submitted  by  MB. 
JOHN  JARDINE,  Secretary  A.  M.  Penney  Co.,  Waupaca  Wis.) 

Probably  no  man  now  living  in  the  State  of  Wisconsin  has 
been  more  closely  identified  with  the  potato  industry  from  its 
infancy  and  in  its  development  than  A.  M.  Penney  of  Waupaca, 
Wis.  Mr.  Penney  was  born 
in  New  York  State  in  the 
Town  of  Henderson,  Feb. 
15th,  1851,  and  when  four 
years  of  age,  his  parents 
settled  011  a  farm  near  Wau- 
paca. 

In  1879,  Mr.  Penney  saw 
the  possibilities  in  the  raising 
of  potatoes  in  this  section, 
and  was  instrumental  with 
others  in  getting  farmers  in- 
terested in  the  planting  of  po- 
tatoes. He  agreed  to  see  that 
a  market  would  be  provided 
the  potatoes.  The  result  was 
that  in  1880,  Mr.  Penney 
shipped  from  Waupaca  sixty- 
six  carloads  of  potatoes,  all  of 
which  were  loaded  in  bulk 
and  shipped  to  Chicago.  The  facilities  for  handling  these  po- 
tatoes consisted  of  a  small  bin  in  an  old  warehouse  with  a  capa- 
city of  a  scant  carload.  In  this  crude  way,  Wanpaca  began  to 
take  its  place  as  a  factor  in  this  industry.  The  extent  of  the 
industry  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  Waupaca  in  1912  shipped 
nearly  2,200  cars. 

From  that  time,  Mr.  Penney  continued  to  enlarge  the  scope 
of  his  operations  until  at  the  present  time,  he  is  at  the  head  of 
a  company  that  operates  warehouses  at  nearly  ail  the  principal 
potato  shipping  stations  of  this  state,  and  markets  their  potatoes 
in  nearly  every  state  in  the  Union. 


A.   M.   PENNEY. 

President    of   A.   M.    Penney   Co.,   Wau- 
paca,  Wis. 


26 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


THE  POTATO  EXHIBIT 


HELD  AT 


THE  ANNUAL  CONVENTION 

Wisconsin     Potato    Growers    Association, 
Rhinelander,  November  20=21,   1913. 


Attention  is  called  to  the  following  important  phases  of  the 
Association  exhibit  at  Rhinelander. 

Due  to  an  accident  several  important  photographs  were  de- 
stroyed and  as  a  result  it  is  impossible  to  show  exhibits  made  by 
representatives  from  Bayfield,  Sawyer,  Waupaca  and  Washburn 


LANGLADE  COUNTY  EXHIBIT. 

E^iibjt  ^vfts   j^rdqd  first   prisje  in   County   Competition. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  27 


ONEIDA  COUNTY  EXHIBIT. 
Awarded  Second   Prize  in  County   Competition. 


LINCOLN   COUNTY  EXHIBIT. 

A \\.-irded  Third   Prize  in  County   Competition. 


28 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


counties.  The  exhibit  made  by  the  Horticultural  Department  of 
the  State  University  is  also  not  shown. 

Special  feature  exhibits  were  made  by  the  Armour  Fertilizer 
Co.,  The  Swift  Fertilizer  Co.,  German  Kali  Works  of  Chicago, 
and  The  Corona  Chemical  Co.  of  Milwaukee. 

The  Plant  Pathology  Department  of  the  University  equipped 
a  complete  booth  with  economic  potato  diseases  and  control  meth- 
ods. This  booth  was  in  charge  of  Mr.  E.  S.  Schultz. 


RUSK   COUNTY  EXHIBIT. 


The  exhibit  at  Rhinclander  was  arranged  with  a  definite  policy 
in  mind.  As  far  as  this  Association  has  been  able  to  learn,  this 
was  the  largest  commercial  potato  exhibit  ever  assembled  in  the 
middle  or  north  western  states.  The  views  which  are  shown 
here  and  the  following  brief  statements  will  explain  the  distinc- 
tive character  of  the  exhibit. 

I.  The  exhibit  was  distinctively  commercial.     The  Association 
discouraged  the  exhibition  of  non-standard  varieties  or  a  miscel- 
laneous collection  of  varieties  of  doubtful  identity.     The  result 
was  that  not  over  six  varieties  were  shown  in  large  quantities 
and  of  an  exhibit  of  approximately  250  bushels,  not  one  mixture 
was  discovered. 

II.  The  exhibit  represented  effective  community  organization. 
Growers  in  the  different  counties  were  advised  by  this  Associa- 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  29 


FOREST   COUNTY  EXHIBIT. 


VIEW  SHOWING  MARINETTE   AND  VILAS  COUNTY  EXHIBIT. 


30  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


BARRON  COUNTY  EXHIBIT. 


WAUPACA  COUNTY  EXHIBIT. 


TOTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  'SI 

tion  to  unite  on  an  adaptable  market  variety  and  send  this  var- 
iety to  the  convention  in  large  quantities.  The  exhibits  show 
that  these  men  responded. 

III.  An  imporant  fact  about  these  exhibits  does  not  show  on 
the  surface.     The  Association  knew   that   a  limited  part  of  its 
membership  grew  comparatively  pure  stock  in  1913.     The  men 
who  were  most  successful  at  Rhinelander  were  able  to  guarantee 
that  they  could  supply   seed   stock   of   high  quality  from  their 
storage  bins. 

IV.  The  result  has  been  that  the  Rhinelander  exhibit  and  the 
work  which  was  done  in  locating  the  stock  previous  to  the  con- 
vention, has  resulted  in  reservation  of  a  large  amount  of  pure 
seed  for  community  potato  work  in  Wisconsin  during  1914. 


POTATO  HARVEST  ON  FARM  OF  ANTON  FOLLSTAD— ELCHO— 
L.ANGLADE    COUNTY. 

This  View  represents  the  kind  of  fields  that  furnished  a  large  per- 
centage of  premium  stock  at  Rhinelander.  These  fields  were 
"spotted"  by  the  Association  before  the  convention  and  this  fact  ex- 
plains why  the  Rhinelander  Exhibit  was  distinctly  commercial. 


Representative  Men  In  Attendance  at  The  Asso 
ciation  Convention  at  Rhinelander, 
November  20=21,  1913. 


MR.  A.  D.  CAMPBELL,  Milwau- 
kee, Manager  Wisconsin  Advance- 
ment Association.  The  potato  crop 
is  essentially  a  factor  in  land  de- 
velopment and  in  building  farm 
homes.  The  Wisconsin  Advancement 
Association  is  receiving  efficient 
management  under  Mr.  Campbell 
and  is  giving  support  and  co-opera- 
tion to  potato  improvement  work. 


PROF.  E.  J.  DELWICHE.  Ash- 
land, Supt.  Northern  Sub-stations. 
Success  with  clover  and  other  le- 
gumes and  forage  crops  is  essential 
in  maintaining  desirable  soil  condi- 
tions for  potatoes.  Prof.  Delwicho 
connections  with  crop  improvement 
in  Northern  Wisconsin  has  kept  him 
in  close  touch  with  the  problems  of 
commercial  potato  growing. 


MR.  C.  H.  EVERETT,  Racine, 
Editor  Wisconsin  Agriculturalist. 
Mr.  Everett  has  been  associated 
closely  With  early  agricultural  de- 
velopment in  Wisconsin  and  his  in- 
terest and  support  through  the  Ag- 
riculturalist is  valued  highly  by  the 
association. 


HALL  BROOKS,  Tomahawk,  Lin- 
coln County.  Mr.  Brooks  rendered 
efficient  service  to  Lincoln  County  in 
the  collection  and  arranging  of  ex- 
hibits at  tae  l.ilo  con  ven  rioii  ;it 
Rhinelander. 


MR.  R.  BEEBE,  Aslil.-md,  Editor 
"Lake  Superior  Farmer."  Mr.  Beebe 
is  giving  special  attention  to  the 
practical  problems  of  development 
in  upper  Wisconsin. 


GEORGE  BOGRAND,  Wausaukee, 
Marinette  County.  Mr.  Bogrand  is 
editor  of  the  Wausaukee  Independ- 
ent and  has  been  a  leader  in  direct- 
ing the  development  of  agricultural 
work  in  Marinette  County.  This 
county  was  well  represented  at  the 
1913  convention. 


A  SUMMARY 


OF 


IMPORTANT  ADDRESSES 
AND  PAPERS 


CONVENTION   OF  THE 


WISCONSIN  POTATO  GROWERS 
ASSOCIATION 

Rhinelander,  November  20-21,  1913 


TOPIC  OF  THE  CONVENTION 

"Pure  Seed  of  Standard  Market  Varieties  for  All 

Commercial  Purposes" 


34 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


SIGNIFICANCE  OF  PURE  BRED  SEED  WORK 
IN    WISCONSIN. 

By  Dean  II.  L.  Russell,  Wisconsin  College  of  Agriculture. 


The  time  is  not  far  distant  when  inspection  and  certification  of 
seed  stock  will  be  as  prevalent  and  as  popular  as  is  the  tubercu- 
lin test  for  tuberculosis  in 
cattle  among  progressive 
dairymen.  The  application 
of  the  community  center  idea 
to  growing  potatoes,  adher- 
ence to  ideals  with  reference 
to  quality  of  the  product,  and 
inspection  and  certification  of 
the  purity  of  the  product  as 
to  type  and  freedom  from  dis- 
ease, arc  bound  to  bring  in 
time  results  which  arc  com- 
mensurate in  value  to  those 
which  have  been  secured  by 
the  development  of  commu- 
nity ideals  in  dairying. 

The  work  of  the  Wisconsin 
Experiment  Association  in 
the  production  and  dissemi- 
nation of  pure  bred  seed 
grains  which  have  been  devel- 
oped on  the  experimental 
farms  at  Madison  and  on  the  branch  stations  has  accomplished 
wonders  in  the  state.  It  has  brought  money,  as  wclF  as  renown, 
and  the  application  of  these  same  principles  can  without  ques- 
tion be  applied  to  potato  culture.  With  this  crop,  possibly  more 
than  with  cereal  grains,  the  marketing  product  is  most  impor- 


DEAN  H.  L.  RUSSELL. 

Wisconsin  College  of  Agriculture 
University  of  Wisconsin. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


35 


tant,  and  in  these  efforts  to  increase  production,  you  may  well 
give  most  careful  attention  to  the  problems  of  marketing  and  dis- 
tribution, for  without  proper  compensation  and  adequate  de- 
mand, the  grower  will  not  be  in  position  to  profit  permanently 
by  increase  in  yields. 


THE  RELATION  OF  THE  HORTICULTURAL 

DEPARTMENT  TO  POTATO  SEED 

IMPROVEMENT. 

By  J.  G.  Moore,  Professor  of  Horticulture,  University  of 

Wisconsin. 


Since  the  organization  of  the  Horticultural  department  more 
or  less  work  has  been  carried  on  as  regards  potato  problems. 
This  work  might  well  be  grouped  under  three  divisions.  During 
its  earlier  history  the  depart- 
ment was  concerned  with  such 
problems  of  culture  as  the 
depth  of  planting,  variety 
trials  to  determine  the  best 
varieties  for  Wisconsin  condi- 
tions, and  the  size  of  the  part 
of  the  tuber  to  be  used  in 
planting.  During  this  time 
about  the  only  question  as 
related  to  the  improvement  of 
seed  was  a  long-time  experi- 
ment to  determine  the  relative 
value  of  large  and  small  tu- 
bers in  crop  production. 

The  second  period,  cover- 
ing a  period  of  five  to  six 
years,  was  devoted  largely  to 
the  matter  of  potato  spraying 
for  the  control  of  blight.  J-  <*•  MOORE. 

There   were   carried   on  inci-     P^fossor   rttotou*   University 


36  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

dentally  with  this  work  endeavors  to  secure  blight-resistant 
varieties. 

The  third  era  of  potato  work  in  the  department  might  be  des- 
ignated as  that  concerned  with  the  improvement  of  the  character 
of  the  crop  produced  as  it  is  particularly  related  to  a  question  of 
pure  seed,  but  at  the  same  time  recognizing  the  importance  of 
cultural  conditions  as  they  affect  the  type  of  the  variety.  This 
work  has  been  under  way  for  about  three  or  four  years  and  has 
been  directly  under  supervision  of  Professor  Milward  of  the 
horticultural  department.  During  this  time  a  number  of  our 
standard  varieties  have  been  grown  with  the  idea  in  mind  of  se- 
lecting those  which  were  likely  to  prove  most  favorable  for  Wis- 
consin conditions.  After  the  determination  of  what  these  varie- 
ties were,  pure  seed,  typical  of  these  varieties  were  secured  by 
the  department  and  grown  in  various  sections  of  the  state  and 
later  distributed  to  growers  upon  application. 

In  connection  with  this  has  developed  the  community  plan  of 
potato  seed  improvement  and  production  of  a  higher  quality  in 
potatoes,  which  ultimately  resulted  in  the  department's  being 
directly  interested  and  to  a  large  extent  responsible  for  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Wisconsin  potato  growers'  association,  the  ob- 
jects of  which  are  familiar  to  you  all.  The  plans  of  the  depart- 
ment contemplate  a  continuation  of  the  organization  of  commu- 
nity centers  and  the  establishment  and  operation,  as  soon  as  feas- 
ible, of  a  system  of  potato  inspection  and  certification,  looking 
toward  the  building  up  of  a  reputation  for  Wisconsin  seed  un- 
surpassed by  that  of  any  potato  producing  state  in  the  country. 


The  Association  secured  Assemblyman 
tH.  E.  Krueger,  one  of  the  successful  mem- 
bers of  the  Wisconsin  Experimental  Associa- 
tion, to  address  the  convention  at  Rhine- 
lander  on  the  development  of  the  pure  seed 
industry  in  Wisconsin.  Mr.  Krueger  told 
the  convention  how  the  seed  industry  had 
developed  in  Wisconsin  during  the  past  ten 
years — especially  in  relation  to  pure  bred 
H.  E.  KRUEGER  seed  grains.  He  outlined  the  possibilities 
Beav\visDani<  °Pen  to  Wisconsin  potato  growers  in  the  de- 

velopment of  a  pure  seed  trade  by  following 
similar  plans.  In  the  discussion  which  arose,  Mr.  Krueger,  by 
request,  told  the  convention  of  the  success  he  has  had  in  raising 
seed  grains. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


37 


SEED    SELECTION    AND    IMPROVEMENT    IN 
RELATION  TO  COMMERCIAL  STANDARDS. 

Prof.  WM.  STUART 
United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C. 


When  I  was  asked  by  your  secretary  to  prepare  a  paper  for 
this  meeting  on  the  subject-of  "Seed  selection  and  improvement 
in  relation  to  commercial  standards"  I  hesitated  to  accept  the 
invitation  because  I  did  not 
feel  sufficiently  familiar  with 
your  conditions  here  to  offer 
advice.  But  as  advice  seems 
to  be  one  of  the  commonest 
assets  in  life,  and  as  the  sub- 
ject is  a  broad  one  involving 
methods  that  are  applicable 
in  any  section  of  this  great 
country  of  ours  f  decided  to 
come,  not  so  much  with  the 
idea  of  teaching  you,  but 
rather  with  the  intention  of 
learning  what  I  might  con- 
cerning your  practices  and 
kind  of  stock  you  grew.  To 
say  that  I  am  surprised  to 
find  such  an  exhibit  of  pota- 
toes as  you  have  in  this  hall 
only  mildly  expresses  my 
feelings.  I  do  not  hesitate  to 
to  say  that  some  of  the  exhibits  would  be  a  credit  to  any  section 
of  our  country  indeed  I  am  willing  to  go  further  and  say  that  I 
have  never  seen  their  equal  on  as  large  a  scale. 

The  subject  that  I  am  expected  to  discuss  to-day  is  one  which 
has  only  recently  begun  to  receive  the  attention  of  the  grower.  A 


PROF.    WM.   STUART. 

U.    S.   Department  of  Agriculture. 
Washington,  D.  C. 


38  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

crop  of  such,  large  magnitude  and  of  such  commercial  impor- 
tance as  is  the  potato  crop  is  well  worthy  of  much  attention.  Be- 
fore taking  up  the  question  of  seed  selection  I  wish  to  invite  your 
attention  by  means  of  lantern  slides  to  some  of  the  work  that  is 
being  done  by  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture  in  an  effort 
to  develop  improved  varieties  of  potatoes  through  the  growing  of 
large  numbers  of  seedlings.  The  picture  which  you  now  see  upon 
the  screen  is  of  two  Avell  developed  potato  blossoms  one  of  which 
has  had  its  anthers  removed,  the  flower  so  treated  is  said  to  be 
emasculated.  The  next  two  pictures  represent  a  cyme  of  potato 
flowers  before  and  after  emasculation.  The  flower  should  be  em- 
asculated before  the  petals  unfold.  The  application  of  pollen  to 
the  stigma  of  the  flower  is  a  comparatively  simple  process  the  pic- 
ture at  which  you  are  now  looking  shows  the  method  employed  by 
the  speaker.  The  corolla  of  the  flower  used  for  the  pollen  par- 
ent is  pushed  back  and  the  anther  held  over  the  end  of  the 
thumb  nail;  in  this  position,  the  pollen  is  easily  jarred  out  upon 
the  nail  whence  it  is  readily  transferred  to  the  stigma  of  the 
pistil  to  be  fertilized.  When  the  cross  has  proved  successful 
the  seedballs  swell  very  rapidly.  I  have  seen  almost  fully  de- 
veloped berries  seven  days  after  the  pollen  was  applied. 

The  cross  sectioned  berries  at  which  you  are  now  looking  shows 
the  position  of  the  seeds  in  the  seedball.  A  well  developed  seed- 
ball  may  contain  three  hundred  or  more  seeds  but  where  the 
varieties  crossed  are  not  physiologically  similar  there  may  not  be 
over  twenty-five  seeds.  The  seeds  are  most  easily  removed  from 
the  berries  by  crushing  them  into  a  pulp  and  throwing  them  into 
a  vessel  of  water,  in  a  few  days  sufficient  fermentation  will  have 
developed  to  disintegrate  the  pulpy  mass  and  release  the  seeds. 

The  difference  in  specific  gravity  of  the  seeds  and  pulp  allows 
the  former  to  settle  to  the  bottom  of  the  vessel  while  the  pulp 
rises  to  the  top.  By  pouring  water  into  the  vessel  the  pulp  can 
be  floated  off  and  the  seeds  recovered.  After  drying,  the  seeds 
can  be  stored  until  wanted  for  sowing. 

When  planted  in  a  loose  friable  soil  and  placed  in  a  room  tem- 
perature to  say  30°  F.  at  night  the  seeds  germinate  in  from  nine 
to  fourteen  days.  The  seedlings  on  the  screen  arc  six  weeks  old 
from  the  time  of  sowing  the  seed.  We  have  frequently  had  them 
much  larger  in  the  same  length  of  time.  The  grower  of  potato 
seedlings  has  many  surprises  in  store  for  him  owing  to  the  infin- 
ite number  of  variations  that  occur.  Some  seedlings  like  the  one 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  39 

on  the  screen  will  produce  a  large  number  of  shapely  good  sized 
tubers,  while  others  like  the  one  you  now  see  produce  a  large  num- 
ber of  small  irregular  tubers,  and  are  absolutely  worthless.  Some 
tubers  are  white  skinned,  some  flesh,  some  red,  and  some  arc  a 
bluish  black,  with  all  intergrading  shades  of  these  colors.  The 
seedlings  of  some  parents  produce  nothing  but  white  tubers ;  in 
other  parents  they  will  run  from  white  to  a  deep  red;  while  in 
still  others  the  blues  and  bluish  black  appear.  The  latter  color 
appears  only  Avhen  certain  parents  are  used. 

Few  of  us  can  afford  to  grow  seedlings  because  it  involves  a 
good  deal  of  work,  and  the  chances  of  producing  a  really  desir- 
able variety  are  so  few  that  it  is  hardly  worth  the  effort.  On 
the  other  hand  none  of  us  are  too  busy  or  should  not  be,  that 
we  cannot  practise  seed  selection  on  the  varieties  we  are  grow- 
ing. 

SELECTION  AND  WHAT  IT  IMPLIES. 

Our  present  day  interpretation  of  plant  breeding  includes  both 
the  selectionist  and  the  hybridist.  While  there  is  no  particular 
objection  to  this  interpretaioii  it  has  always  seemed  to  me  that 
the  improvement  of  asexually  propagated  plants  by  selection 
alone  docs  not  necessarly  constitute  plant  breeding.  It  would  be 
preferable  to  restrict  the  term  to  the  process  of  improvement  by 
means  of  sexual  reproduction.  Intelligent  plant  breeding  under 
this  definition  involves  the  selection  and  crossing  of  parent  plants 
possessing  certain  desirable  attributes  which  it  is  proposed  to 
unite  in  a  single  individual.  The  resultant  progeny  from  such  a 
cross  must  be  carefully  studied  and  rigidly  selected  for  the  parti- 
cular attributes  desired.  According  to  this  definition  it  is  seen 
that  successful  plant  breeding  is  not  independent  of  selection. 

The  selectionist  on  the  other  hand  can  carry  on  his  work  inde- 
pendent of  sexual  reproduction.  The  improvement  which  may 
result  from  selection  alone  is  limited  to  natural  variations  which 
may  occur  within  the  variety  that  he  is  endeavoring  to  improve. 
Inasmuch  however  as  considerable  variation  may  be  found  in 
most  of  our  cultivated  varieties  the  limitations  are  by  no  means 
so  restricted  as  one  might  expect.  Our  former  concept  that  a 
variety  was  a  fixed  entity  has  now  given  away  to  in  acknowledg- 
ment that  it  may  possess  one  or  more  entities. 

The  selectionist  recognizing  this  fact  proceeds  to  isolate  cer- 
tain races  or  types  which  seem  to  him  to  be  an  improvement  over 


40  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

the  composite  race  from  which  it  was  derived.  This  improvement 
may  be  in  the  form  of  a  more  productive  plant,  or  one  whose 
tubers  are  more  uniform  in  shape  and  size,  or  the  eyes  may  be 
fewer  and  shallower,  or  any  other  characters  which  seems  more 
desirable.  In  other  words  some  of  the  fluctuating  variations  oc- 
curring within  a  variety  may  be  heritable  factors  which  have 
heretofore  been  assumed  to  be  now  heritable.  A  word  of  caution 
should  be  given  10  the  selection  with  respect  to  the  isolation  of 
types  which  are  apparent  departures  from  the  true  type  of  the 
variety.  In  my  opinion  there  can  be  but  one  excuse  for  the  isola- 
tion and  that  is  that  it  is  decidedly  superior  to  the  parental  type. 
It  seems  to  me  that  in  the  long  run  much  more  can  be  accom- 
plished by  selecting  strains  which  most  uniformly  conform  to  the 
varietal  type.  It  is  only  by  rigidly  adhering  to  this  principle 
that  we  can  hope  to  make  any  progress  in  the  standardization  of 
our  commercial  varieties.  To  intelligently  improve  a  variety  it 
is  necessary  that  one  should  have  an  intimate  knowledge  of  its 
normal  type. 

SELECTION  METHODS. 

The  improvement  of  the  potato  by  selection  may  be  accom- 
plished in  either  of  two  ways  viz.  The  "hill  selection "  and  the 
"tuber  unit"  methods.  They  only  differ  in  one  respect  and  that 
is  in  the  way  in  which  the  first  selection  is  made. 

HILL  SELECTION   METHOD. 

The  usual  practise  in  making  hill  selections  is  to  carefully  ex- 
amine the  plants  in  the  field  when  they  are  fully  grown  and  mark 
a'.l  such  as  most  nearly  .represent  the  ideal  type  of  the  variety  and 
that  are  vigorous  and  haalthy.  Prior  to  harvesting,  these  hills 
should  be  dug  by  hand  and  the  tubers  carefully  inspected.  Re- 
ject the  progeny  of  all  plants  which  do  not  show  a  large  propor- 
tion of  marketable  tubers  closely  adhering  to  the  varietal  type 
and  of  fairly  uniform  size.  A  number  should  be  given  to  each 
selection  and  a  record  made  of  the  number  of  marketable  and  un- 
marketable tubers  after  which  the  tubers  from  each  selection 
should  be  stored  in  separate  sacks  or  other  receptacles.  The  fol- 
lowing season  plant  your  selections  in  such  a  way  that  each  will 
occupy  a  separate  row  or  portion  of  a  row,  and  going  still  fur- 
ther, plant  each  tuber  of  the  selection  so  that  its  plants  may  be 
readily  identified  from  those  of  every  other  tuber  of  that  number. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  41 

This  is  perhaps  most  easily  accomplished  by  resorting  to  the  tub- 
er-unit method,  that  is  dividing  each  tuber  lengthwise  into  four 
equal  parts.  The  four  parts  of  each  tuber  are  planted  consecu- 
tively in  the  row  and  a  slightly  wider  space  left  between  each  set 
of  four  plants.  If  the  small  tubers  are  planted  split  them  in  two 
but  it  will  be  necessary  to  note  the  number  of  tubers  planted  by 
both  methods  or  else  it  may  not  be  possible  to  identify  the  pro- 
geny of  each  tuber.  A  close  study  of  the  growing  plants  will  very 
probably  reveal  quite  striking  differences  between  the  progeny 
of  the  various  selections.  It  is  quite  likely  that  some  selections 
will  be  noted  in  which  the  plants  are  extremely  variable  in  size 
and  vigor  such  selections  should  be  marked  for  rejection.  Note  all 
those  which  show  uniformity  in  size  and  which  most  nearly  con- 
form to  the  varietal  type.  Harvest  each  selection  by  hand  and  re- 
tain, only  those  for  further  trial  which  most  nearly  meet  the  ideal 
of  the  variety  both  in  type,  color,  size  and  productiveness. 

The  further  culture  of  these  selections  consists  in  planting 
them  according  to  the  most  approved  methods  in  the  increase 
plot.  If  at  the  end  of  the  second  season  you  have  a  single  strain 
left  which  has  met  your  most  exacting  demands  you  have  reason 
to  rejoice  over  your  success  for  I  am  convinced  that  there  are 
relatively  few  strains  within  a  variety  which  are  markedly  more 
productive  than  ordinarily  well  selected  stock.  The  great  value 
of  selection  according  to  my  mind  lies  in  the  elimination  of  the 
weak,  unproductive  plants  rather  than  in  the  isolation  of  high 
producing  ones. 

One  of  the  best  known  experiments  on  hill  selection  is  that  re- 
ported by  Waid  in  bulletin  174  of  the  Ohio  Agricultural  Experi- 
ment Station.  The  data  given  by  Waid  shows  that  the  average 
weight  of  ten  high  yielding  hills  from  the  1903  crop  was  2.38 
Ibs.  while  that  from  ten  low  yielding  hills  was  0.72  Ibs.  The  av- 
erage of  the  progeny  of  these  ten  high  and  ten  low  yielding  hills 
for  the  seasons  of  1904,  1905,  and  1906  are  shown  to  be  1.38  Ibs. 
and  0.73  Ibs.  respectively  while  that  from  unselected  or  the  gen- 
eral run  of  seed  stock  was  1.10  Ibs.  Two  deductions  might  be 
made  from  these  results  one  that  the  high  yielding  hills  had  not- 
transmitted  this  character,  if  compared  with  their  initial  pro- 
duction, for  we  have  a  falling  off  in  yield  of  over  72%.  If  on  the 
other  hand  we  compare  the  behavior  of  the  high  yielding  hills 
with  un-selected  stock  we  note  a  gain  of  over  25%  in  favor  of  the 
selections  evidencing  a  distinct  gain  through  selection.  In  some 


42  POTATO*  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

studies  undertaken  by  the  Office  of  Horticulture  U.  S.  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  in  1911  and  1912  rather  more  marked  differ- 
ences were  obtained  in  a  comparison  between  high  and  low  yield- 
ing hills,  or  more  strictly  speaking  between  healthy  and  weak 
plants.  The  data  obtained  showed  an  average  yield  from  twelve 
healthy  tuber  units  of  as  many  different  varieties  of  3.2  Ibs. 
primes  and  1.77  Ibs.  culls  or  a  total  of  4.97  and  of  .2  Ibs.  primes 
and  .68  Ibs.  culls,  a  total  of  0.88  Ibs,  from  a  similar  number  of 
weak  units  of  the  same  varieties  as  the  healthy.  To  recapitulate 
the  data,  the  healthy  plants  averaged  3.2  Ibs.  of  primes  as  against 
0.2  Ibs.  from  the  weak  plants;  and  a  total  production  of  4.97  Ibs. 
as  against  0.88  Ibs.  or  ovor  five  times  as  much  total  crop  and  16 
times  as  much  weight  of  marketable  sized  tubers. 

These  two  examples  would  seem  to  give  ample  justification  for 
the  statement  which  I  have  previously  made  that  the  greatest 
immediate  gain  secured  by  selection  comes  through  the  elimina- 
tion of  the  weak  and  unproductive  plants. 

THE  TUBER  UNIT  METHOD. 

As  previously  stated  the  tuber  unit  me  1 1  mil  differs  from  hill 
selection  in  only  one  particular  and  that  is  in  the  method  of  mak- 
ing the  original  selection.  The  first  step  in  this  method  is  to  sel- 
ect from  the  seed  bin  a  considerable  number  of  tubers  of  from  to 
6  to  9  oz.  in  weight,  which  most  nearly  approach  the  type  of  the 
variety  to  which  they  belong.  These  tubers  are  then  planted  at 
the  proper  time  on  the  tuber  unit  plan  as  previously  described 
under  ' ;  hill  selection. ' '  From  this  point  on  the  process  is  identi- 
cal to  that  outlined  for  hill  selection.  In  taking  notes  upon  the 
tubers,  each  set  of  fours  is  judged  as  an  individual  entity  and 
dealt  with  accordingly.  If  the  season  has  been  a  normal  one  it 
will  be  unnecessary  to  plant  the  tubers  of  the  selection  separ- 
ately the  second  year  as  suggested  for  the  hill  selections.  If 
however  the  season  has  been  unfavorable  I  would  advise  plant- 
ing the  following  season  011  the  tuber  unit  basis.  When  a  de- 
sirable strain  has  been  secured  proceed  to  increase  it  for  field 
planting.  Do  not  on  any  account  relax  your  watchfulness  over 
your  selections.  If  weak  plants  appear  they  should  be  re- 
moved prior  to  harvesting  the  crop.  The  vigor  and  produc- 
tiveness of  r,  variety  can  only  bo  maintained  by  eliminating  all 
the  weak  and  diseased  plants.  If  you  are  growing  seed  pota- 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  43 

toes  there  is  all  the  more  necessity,  or  shall  I  say  incentive,  to 
maintain  the  highest  possible  standard. 

Varieties  can  only  be  standardized  through  some  such  method 
as  that  just  outlined.  It  not  only  affords  an  easy  means  of  elimi- 
nating diseased  and  unproductive  plants  but  it  also  accomplishes 
at  the  same  time  the  removal  of  all  foreign  varieties.  In  other 
words  you  have  unconsciously  purified  your  seed,  through  selec- 
tion. 

The  beneficial  effects  accuring  from  selection  is  that  you  obtain 
a  seed  stock  from  which  the  progeny,  or  tubers,  of  all  diseased  and 
weak  plants  and  all  varietal  mixtures  have  been  removed.  This 
insures  a  perfect  stand  of  vigorous  healthy  plants,  every  one  of 
which  should  be  productive  and  if  the  weather  and  cultural  con- 
ditions are  favorable  it  is  easy  to  predict  what  I  lie  harvest  should 
be.  If  the  crop  is  grown  for  seed  purposes  it  possesses  a  much 
greater  value  than  that  from  unselected  seed.  It  should  be  re- 
membered however  that  eternal  vigilance  is  the  price  of  success ; 
the  strictest  attention  should  be  given  to  the  seed  plot  each  sea- 
son. One  cannot  rest  on  his  oars  and  say  I  have  a  selected  strain 
of  potatoes  that  require  no  further  attention.  Your  strain  of  seed 
will  require  the  same  vigilance  each  year  in  the  removal  of  all 
weak  and  imperfect  plants.  It  is  true  that  with  careful  handling 
of  your  own  seed  there  should  be  no  further  contaminations  in 
the  way  of  varietal  mixtures,  but  you  are  almost  sure  to  find  some 
off  type  and  weak  or  diseased  plants  in  any  season  so  be  ever  on 
the  watch.  If  I  were  given  to  prophesying  I  would  be  tempted 
to  predict  that  in  the  next  five  years  this  section  of  your  State 
will  be  producing  vast  quantities  of  high  grade  seed  potatoes 
which  will  have  behind  it  a  guarantee  of  purity  both  as  to  true- 
ness  to  name  and  type,  as  well  as  freedom  from  diseased  tubers. 

If  it  were  possible  to  plant  the  whole  of  the  1914  crop  of  the 
United  States  with  such  seed  as  I  have  just  described  I  will  ven- 
ture to  say  that  the  average  yield  per  acre  would  be  increased  at 
least  25  per  cent.  Can  you  realize  what  this  would  mean  ?  Our 
present  average  acre  production  is  less  than  J  00  bushels  and  our 
total  average  production  is  about  350,000,000 ;  multiply  this  by 
25  per  cent  and  we  have  increased  our  crop  by  ST1/^  million 
bushels.  Think  of  it  a  gain  well  toward  a  hundred  million  bushels 
without  the  outlay  of  any  more  capital  in  its  production  outside 
of  the  extra  labor  involved  in  harvesting  a  larger  crop. 

The  seed  question  is  a  large  one ;  it  is  an  important  one ;  our 


44  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

commercial  varieties  can  be  improved,  largely  it  is  true  by  elimi- 
nation, but  improved  nevertheless ;  let  us  each  constitute  our- 
selves a  committee  of  one  to  improve  our  seed  stock.  Your  potato 
specialist,  Prof.  Milward,  in  advocating  fewer  varieties  and  the 
standardization  of  those  that  are  best  adapted  to  your  locality  is 
working  along  the  right  lines.  The  more  you  concentrate  your  ef- 
forts upon  one  or  two  varieties  the  more  you  will  advertise  your 
product  and  the  more  easily  will  sales  be  made.  Let  your  motto 
be,  good  seed,  true  to  name  and  type,  free  from  varietal  mixture, 
and  from  disease  and  all  the  other  good  things  of  life  will  be 
added  unto  you. 


OFFICIAL  INSPECTION  AND  CERTIFICATION 
OF  POTATO  SEED  STOCKS. 

By  W.  A.  ORTON 
Of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture. 


To  the  Members  of  the  Wisconsin  Potato  Growers'  Association: 
It  is  gratifying  to  have  this  opportunity  to  express  the  appre- 
ciation felt  in  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  of 
the  movement  for  higher  standards  and  better  conditions  in  the 
potato  industry  which  your  association  is  guiding.  The  improve- 
ments which  you  are  effecting  here  will  not  be  limited  by  state 
boundaries  but  will  benefit  other  communities  in  distant  states. 
It  is  to  point  out  some  of  the  interrelations  of  your  potato  indus- 
try with  that  of  other  places,  the  extent  to  which  southern  and 
western  districts  are  dependent  on  you,  and  the  broad  opportuni- 
ties for  progress  that  are  open  to  you  that  this  letter  is  written. 

Wisconsin  stands  to-day  in  a  position  of  exceptional  potential 
advantage  in  its  relation  to  the  potato  industry  of  the  United 
States.  Its  northern  location  provides  a  climate  suited  to  this 
crop,  where  its  natural  vigor  is  maintained.  There  are  vast  areas 
of  new  land  that  will  produce  potatoes  of  fine  quality,  since  most 
of  it  is  free  from  the  diseases  prevalent  in  other  districts.  Geo- 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


45 


graphically  and  commercially  you  are  in  close  touch  with  the 
east,  and  south  and  the  west,  and  finally,  you  have  the  highest 
type  of  leadership  at  your  command  in  the  officers  of  your  associ- 
ation a?id  their  colleagues  at  the  University  and  Experiment  Sta- 
tion. 

Those  who  are  watching 
this  association  from  outside 
Wisconsin  expect  to  see  you 
succeed  in  your  aims.  It  is 
expected  of  you  that  you  will 
increase  your  yield  per  acre 
from  its  present  low  average 
of  about  92  bushels  to  perhaps 
double  that  figure,  that  you 
will  find  the  varieties  best 
adapted  to  your  conditions 
and  keep  them  pure,  elimi- 
note  mixtures  of  varieties 
from  commercial  shipments, 
through  community  efforts 
in  establishing  and  enforcing 
standard  grades,  and  develop 
closer  relations  between  your- 
selves as  producers,  and  the  w.  A.  ORTON. 
consumers  of  your  potatoes, 
to  your  mutual  benefit. 

]>ut  in  doing  this,  we  hope  that  your  efforts  will  be  along  lines 
that  can  be  correlated  in  a  practical  way  with  the  needs  of  other 
sections.  When  we  said  that  other  potato  districts  were  depen- 
dent on  you,  it  was  with  primary  reference  to  their  need  for  good 
seed  stock,  pure,  vigorous  and  healthy.  These  things  mean  much 
to  the  southern  and  western  grower.  Prof.  Stuart  will  tell  you 
of  the  differences  in  vigor  and  productiveness  between  selected 
and  run-out  strains,  of  the  losses  due  to  admixtures  of  late  with 
early  varieties,  and  of  the  proper  methods  of  developing  and 
maintaining  the  best  stocks.  Plant  diseases  also,  are  more  destruc- 
tive in  many  other  states  than  in  Wisconsin.  Many  of  the  worst- 
are  carried  in  the  seed  potatoes  from  farm  to  farm  and  from 
state  to  state.  There  is  need  for  special  attention  to  the  lessen- 
ing of  this  danger,  and  we  believe  that  a  plan  for  inspection  and 
certification  can  be  worked  out  that  will  do  as  much  to  control 


Washington,    D.    C.,    U.    S.    Department 
of  Agriculture. 


46  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  tx  WISCONSIN. 

the  spread  of  potato  pests  within  our  country  as  the  National 
Plant  Quarantine  Act  does  toward  keeping  out  foreign  para- 
sites. 

There  are  great  possibilities  in  the  special  seed  trade  as  a  pro- 
fitable business  for  many  of  you,  but  there  are  many  defects  in 
the  present  system  of  growing  and  selling  potatoes  which  is  fail- 
ing to  meet  our  needs. 

That  southern  growers  must  have  northern  seed  is  well  known. 
Some  of  them  and  some  dealers,  even  now,  think  that  if  their  seed 
potatoes  come  from  a  northern  source  that  is  sufficient.  It  is  not. 
The  sale  for  planting  purposes  of  mixed,  ungraded,  unselected 
potatoes,  bought  in  ear  lots  by  city  buyers,  has  already  done 
much  to  injure  the  reputation  of  Wisconsin  seed  stock  and  to 
divert  the  demand  to  other  sources  of  supply.  Scab,  blackleg, 
dry-rot,  stem-blight,  leaf -roll,  wilt  and  other  diseases  are  spread 
every  year  through  infected  seed  and  the  distant  purchaser  has 
practically  no  means  whereby  he  may  be  certain  of  obtaining  a 
safe  supply.  Many  go  or  send  an  agent  to  inspect  the  fields 
where  the  seed  is  being  grown  but  this  expensive  precaution  is 
not  sufficient  to  detect  all  diseases  or  to  prevent  substitution. 

An  equally  great  bar  to  progress,  inherent  in  our  present  sys- 
tem, is  that  the  progressive  seed  grower,  who  has  produced  pota- 
toes of  the  highest  quality,  has  insufficient  means  of  convincing 
the  purchaser  of  the  superior  value  of  his  stock,  and  fails  to  find 
that  special  demand  and  that  bonus  in  price  which  should  be  his 
incentive  for  giving  special  care  to  seed-potato  production. 

We  need  a  system  developed  that  will  enable  a  seed  distributor 
or  a  grower's  association  in  Colorado  or  Texas  to  order  by  the 
carload  or  by  the  hundred  carloads  with  confidence  that  the  po- 
tatoes delivered  will  not  only  conform  to  the  standard  grades  of 
your  association,  but  carry  also  an  official  certificate  that  they 
are  true  to  varietal  type,  free  from  mixture  with  other  sorts  and 
free  from  disease. 

We  need  this  system  developed  so  that  the  Wisconsin  growers 
or  local  Associations  that  have  specialized  in  the  production  of 
fine  potatoes,  may  back  their  own  guarantee  with  the  statement 
of  an  expert  whom  no  one  can  question,  and  thereby  secure  a  bet- 
ter market  price. 

It  is  with  especial  reference  to  freedom  from  disease  that  this 
plan  has  been  developed,  and  the  relatively  healthy  conditions  in 
Wisconsin  offer  many  advantages  for  beginning  the  work  here. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

The  losses  from  potato  diseases  in  Wisconsin  have  been  so  sfig 
that  I  expect  many  growers  will  have  to  be  shown  that  a  disease 
problem  really  exists.    A  few  actual  examples  are  therefore  cited. 

1.  A  carload  of  seed  potatoes  was  brought  to  my  attention  in 
Virginia.    It  had  been  shipped  from  a  point  which  might  have 
been  in  Wisconsin,  but  we  may  assume  for  your  comfort  that  it 
was  in  a  neighboring  state.    The  sacks  near  the  car  door  were  of 
good  quality  but  the  rest  of  the  car  was  filled  with  some  of  the 
worst  scabby  tubers  I  have  ever  seen,  and  they  had  to  be  thrown 
a\\ay.    Naturally,  that  town  in  Virginia  now  buys  its  seed  pota- 
toes elsewhere. 

2.  Not  long  ago  we  recommended  Wisconsin  potatoes  to  a  Colo- 
rado grower,  who  responded  that  he  had  tried  them  and  that  the 
varieties  were  so  badly  mixed  that  the  stock  had  to  be  discarded. 

3.  In  the  South  Atlantic  States  the  blackleg  disease  has  become 
frequent,  through  the  use  of  infected  northern  seed,  I  have  seen 
fields,  with  50%  to  75%  of  the  plants  dead  or  decaying  just  be- 
fore harvest,  when  a  neighbor  using  healthy  seed  had  none.  This 
blackleg  appears  to  come  only  from  seed  infection  in  this  coun- 
try.   It  takes  a  more  virulent  form  in  the  south  than  in  the  north, 
and  can  be  eliminated  by  the  northern  grower  by  seed  selection 
and  disinfection. 

4.  The  powdery-scab,  a  new  disease  to  America,  though  long 
prevalent  in  Europe,  has  been   found   in   a  few   places  in  the 
United  States  and  may  develop  elsewhere.  It  will  be  highly  im- 
portant to  pi-event  its  spread,  and  consequently  whenever  a  few 
east -s  are  found  on  one  farm  in  Blank  county,  purchasers  of  seed 
potatoes  from  other  farms  in  that  county  will  require  assurance 
of  freedom  from  powdery-scab.     The  same  would  be  true  of  the 
wart  disease  or  any  other  new  trouble  that  might  crop  out  and  we 
lack  at  present  any  definite  means  of  giving  this  guarantee. 

5.  The  Fusarium  Wilt  is  one  of  the  big  factors  in  reducing 
yields  in  our  wanner  districts,  particularly  in  the  west.  This  is 
carried  in  the  tubers  from  diseased  hills,  and  has  already  been 
widely  scattered  in  this  way.  Such  infected  tubers  are  not  fit  for 
seed,  and  many  districts  are  looking  for  a  source  of  healthy  seed 
stock. 

6.  The  potato  ell-worm,  a  dangerous  pest  in  the  irrigated  val- 
leys of  Nevada  and  California,  in  Australia  and  other  warm 
countries,  is  spread  wholesale  by  planting  affected  tubers. 

7.  Silver-scurf,  a  European  parasite  which  disfigures  the  skin 


48  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

of  potatoes,  was  brought  over  and  scattered  throughout  the 
United  States  before  it  was  detected.  It  is  carried  over  by  plant- 
ing infected  tubers,  and  as  it  does  not  seem  to  be  killed  by  disin- 
fection, a  certificate  that  a  given  lot  of  potatoes  was  free  from  sil- 
ver-scurf would  add  materially  to  their  value. 

8.  Powdery-dry  rot  is  a  disease  of  stored  potatoes  that  has 
caused  great  losses  from  Wisconsin  westward.    It  is  carried  over 
in  the  soil  where  diseased  potatoes  are  planted  and  the  evidence 
shows  that  whole  new  sections  of  Idaho  have  been  thus  infected, 
and  unnecessarily,  but  will  now  have  to  practice  preventive  mea- 
sures, perhaps  as  long  as  potatoes  are  grown. 

9.  The  common  late-blight  dry-rot,  carried  south  on  seed  pota- 
toes, results  in  defective  stands  where  the  infected  tubers  fail  to 
grow,  and  not  infrequently  an  outbreak  of  the  blight  itself  is 
charged  to  this  use  of  infected  seed. 

10.  Curly-dwarf,    a   physiological   trouble,  and   allied   weak- 
nesses, often  classed  as  " running  out,"  occur  on  some  farms, 
much  more  than  others.    Farmers  have  lost  thousands  of  dollars 
through  buying  unaware,  such  weak  strains. 

11.  Finally,  leaf -roll,  the  new  disease  which  has  already   cost 
Colorado  growers  millions  of  dollars,  is  transmitted  through  seed 
from  diseased  plants,  and  1he  best  advice  we  can  give  is  to  get 
healthy  seed.     To  insure  this,  there  has  been  successfully  prac- 
ticed in  Germany  a  seed  certification  plan  similar  to  the  one  we 
are  recommending. 

I  have  now  given  you  a  few  examples  to  show  why  potato 
growers  in  other  sections  need  certified  seed.  If  there  were  any 
such  seed  in  existence  a  demand  for  it  could  readily  be  aroused. 

Will  not  Wisconsin  take  the  leadership  and  inaugurate  the 
plan  to  build  up  selected  strains  and  maintain  a  high  standard? 
We  can  assure  you  that  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture  will 
heartily  support  the  University  at  Madison  and  your  association 
in  this  important  work,  particularly  in  those  phases  which  in- 
volve trials  in  other  states. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  49 


A  PLAN,  OF  POTATO  SEED  INSPECTION  FOR 
WISCONSIN  IN  1914. 


Referring  to  the  field  inspection  of  potatoes  as  discussed  by 
Mr.  Orton  in  the  accompanying  article,  the  state  association  feels 
that  it  should  offer  every  possible  advantage  to  its  membership. 

The  purpose  of  inspection  this  year  in  Wisconsin  will  be  to 
provide  a  means  to  enable  members  of  the  association  to  deter- 
mine whether  the  stock  they  are  growing  is  pure.  The  value 
of  this  guarantee  will  be  of  special  service  in  the  development  of 
community  potato  work. 

The  plan  to  be  followed  will  be  entirely  voluntary  and  will  be 
pursued  in  relation  to  the  development  of  association  work  in 
the  state.  With  the  understanding  that  the  association  will  be 
compelled  this  year  to  limit  the  work  in  accordance  with  avail- 
able time  and  resources  the  following  plan  is  submitted. 

I.  Arrangements  will  be  made  if  possible  to  provide  inspec- 
tion in  those  centers  where  community  potato  work  has  been  or- 
ganized.    Judging  from  conditions  in  Wisconsin  this  work  will 
be  especially  adaptable  to  counties  where  an  agricultural  rep- 
resentative has  been  secured. 

II.  Inspection  will  be  made  relative  to,  1.  Variety  purity,  2. 
Freedom  from  disease.     This  will  involve  an  inspection  of  the 
growing  fields  and  the  stock  at  harvest  time.     < 

III.  A  certificate  will  be   furnished   the   grower  upon  which 
will  be  stated  the  condition  of  the  stock  in  relation  to  the  objects 
of  inspection  named  in  paragraph  II. 

IV.  All  expenses  incidental  to  this  work  shall  be  borne  by  the 
grower  or  community  for  whom  inspection  is  provided. 

V.  This  plan  of  inspection  will  be  made  uniform  and  it  is  ex- 
pressly understood  by   all  local  Associations   and  Counties  in- 
volved that  all  recommendations  of  policy  or  organization  of  the 
work  shall  be  vested  in  the  Agricultural  College — University  of 
Wisconsin. 


50 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


THE  MARKET  DEMAND  FOR  IMPROVED 
STANDARDS. 

E.  P.  MILLER 
Of  the  Albert  Miller  &  Co.,  Chicago,  111. 


Markets  like  individuals  are,  we  might  say,  peculiar  in  their 
likes  and  dislikes.  One  market  prefers  a  long,  white  potato;  an- 
other a  round  white;  another  is  quite  partial  to 'a  red  variety; 

one  wants  a  medium  sized  po- 
tato ;  and  the  other  an  extra 
large  potato — none  of  them 
are  very  partial  to  very  small 
ones,  and  of  course,  all  want 
clean,  smooth,  bright  stock  of 
good  cooking  quality. 

The  territory  to  which  Wis- 
consin may  look  for  its  outlet, 
of  course,  varies  with  each 
season,  but,  in  a  measure,  is 
governed  by  freight  rates,  and 
by  quality.  On  the  West  we 
must  compete  with  the  irri- 
gated districts,  and  on  the 
East  with  New  York  and 
Maine. 

The  present  season  we  have 
been  able  to  secure  very  little 
business  in  the  Missouri  River 
Territory.  Our  rates  from 
Wisconsin  to  what  is  known  as  "Missouri  River  Territory"  arc 
15c  per  bushel.  The  rate  from  Greeley,  Colorado,  district  is21c 
per  bushel.  From  the  Idaho  sections  is  30c  per  bushel,  from  Mon- 
tana 24c  per  bushel.  Now  if  we  were  selling  at,  say,  60c  sacked 


E.  P.  MILLER. 

<>f  Albert  Miller  «fc  Co.,  Cliirsitfo,  111. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  51 

Wisconsin  loading  stations  this  would  mean  that  our  price  would 
be.  75c  delivered  Kansas  City  or  other  Missouri  Eiver  points,  and 
one  might  at  first  thought  conclude  that  if  Idaho  was  quoting  at 
a  basis  of  45c  f .  o.  b.  or  75c  delivered  that  we  might  secure  a  fair 
share  of  the  business  in  competition  with  them,  yet  this  is  not  the 
case,  for  the  Idaho  potatoes,  will,  at  present,  command  a  premi- 
um of  from  five  to  eight,  or  even  ten  cents  per  bushel. 

To-day  our  price  delivered  New  York  City  based  on  60c  Wis- 
consin would  be  82c  per  bushel  and  to-day  the  market  in  New 
York  City  is  in  such  shape  that  if  we  had  a  bright,  medium  sized 
round  white  potato,  which  the  New  York  market  requires,  we 
might  secure  considerable  business  there,  yet,  because  of  the  fact 
that  New  York  City  does  not  like  the  potatoes  that  we  can  ship, 
and  will  not  pay  as  much  for  them  as  she  will  for  Maine  potatoes, 
we  are  kept  out  of  that  territory  except  at  such  times  as  our 
prices  are  under  Maine  goods ;  and  these  same  conditions  prevail 
always  in  sections  with  which  we  must  compete  with  either  of 
the  two  above  mentioned  districts. 

Now  there  are  numerous  samples  on  exhibition  here  to-day 
which  would  find  a  ready  sale  both  West  and  East.  If  the  aver- 
age production  of  Wisconsin  quality  was  represented  by  these 
samples  it  would  mean  a  territory  15%  to  20%  larger  for  the 
sale  of  Wisconsin  potatoes  and  that  we  can  easily  do  this  is 
clearly  shown  by  these  samples.  What  must  be  done  is  to  show 
the  growers  generally  the  great  improvement  it  is  possible  for 
them  to  make  in  both  yield  as  well  as  quality  by  the  careful  selec- 
tion of  seed,  and  I  feel  that  the  work  which  your  Agricultural 
Station  is  doing  will  practically  insure  a  growing  demand  from  a 
wider  territory  for  potatoes  grown  in  this  State. 

I  feel  that  we  shippers  are  in  a  measure  to  blame  for  the  qual- 
ity of  potatoes  that  we  ship  from  Wisconsin.  As  a  rule  we  do  not 
sort  them  carefully  enough;  competition  is  so  strong  that  our 
men  at  loading  stations  will  tell  us  that  if  they  sort  closely  the 
grower  will  sell  to  some  one  else.  On  the  other  hand  I  have  been 
asked  why  it  is  that  if  a  farmer  does  grow  better  potatoes  than 
his  neighbor  he  cannot  get  more  money  for  them.  This  is  in  the 
main  because  there  have  not  been  enough  potatoes  of  superior 
quality  grown  to  enable  the  shipper  to  reach  out  and  secure  some 
customer  who  is  willing  to  pay  a  premium  for  them,  for  the  rea- 
son that  if  we  furnish  him  with  one  car  exceptionally  choice,  he 
expects  another  like  it,  and  the  chances  are  we  are  unable  to  fur- 


52  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

nish  it.  When  the  time  comes  that  we  as  shippers  can  buy  a  rea- 
sonable amount  of  really  choice  potatoes  there  will  be  a  difference 
in  the  price  paid  for  them  as  compared  to  inferior  stock;  and  in 
this  improvement  in  quality  both  the  grower  and  the  shipper  are 
equally  interested.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  growers'  and  ship- 
pers' interests  are  in  a  great  measure  identical.  The  grower  must 
have  a  price  that  will  enable  him  to  profitably  grow  potatoes,  and 
the  shipper  must  secure  a  margin  that  will  profitably  enable  him 
to  reach  out  for  new  and  wider  territory  and  I  hope  the  time  may 
come  when  there  will  be  less  feeling  between  growers  and  ship- 
pers. In  this  connection  I  feel  that  the  newspapers,  in  some  in- 
stances, are  responsible  for  stirring  up  prejudice  against  the  mid- 
dleman. If  he  is  an  evil,  which  I  cannot  admit,  he  is  certainly  a 
necessary  evil,  for  the  grower  is  not  in  a  position  to  go  out  and 
secure  trade  in  cities  from  one  end  of  the  country  to  the  other, 
for  if  he  should  secure  customers  this  year  in  Oklahoma,  who 
might  use  all  of  his  crop,  it  is  quite  possible  that  the  next  year 
Oklahoma  would  be  entirely  supplied  by  potatoes  from  some 
other  section  and  that  the  grower  would  have  to  look  to  some 
point  in  Pennsylvania,  North  Carolina,  Georgia,  Alabama.  An 
outlet  can  not  be  found  near  at  hand  for  all  of  Wisconsin's  poto- 
toes;  and  the  more  aggressive  and  energetic  the  shipper,  who  is 
handling  Wisconsin  potatoes,  the  more  benefit  is  he  to  the  Wis- 
consin grower.  I  think  that  we  all  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  the 
Agricultural  Experiment  Station  of  this  State  for  it  has  been  do- 
ing a  great  work  and  I  am  deeply  gratified  to  note  the  interest 
which  has  been  awakened.  I  feel  sure  that  the  time  is  coming 
when  our  customers  in  competitive  territory  will  be  willing  to  pay 
us  as  much  if  not  more  for  Wisconsin  potatoes  than  for  those 
from  any  other  section.  It 's  simply  up  to  the  Wisconsin  grower 
to  improve  his  quality  and  to  the  Wisconsin  shipper  to  get  out 
and  get  the  business,  and  I  can  see  from  this  meeting  that  we  all 
feel  sufficiently  enthusiastic  about  this  to  make  its  accomplish- 
ment certain. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  53 


VINE  AND  TUBER  CHARACTERISTICS  OF 

STANDARD  MARKET  VARIETIES 

OF   POTATOES. 

PROF.  WM.  STUART, 
Of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture. 


I  was  somewhat  surprised  when  I  looked  over  a  copy  of  the 
program  of  this  meeting,  which  I  received  a  few  days  before  leav- 
ing Washington,  to  see  that  I  was  expected  to  lead  a  discussion 
on  the  vine  and  tuber  characteristics  of  standard  market  varie- 
ties. The  subject  looks  innocent  enough,  but  like  many  innocent 
looking  things  there  are  troubled  waters  below  the  surface.  For 
the  past  few  years  I  have  had  the  privilege  of  being  able  to  study 
a  considerable  collection  of  the  standard  varieties  of  potatoes, 
and  have  endeavored  to  classify  them  into  groups  according  to 
well  defined  varietal  characters  of  foliage  or  of  tuber.  The  ma- 
jority of  our  varieties  fall  very  naturally  into  one  or  other  of 
these  groups,  but  there  are  still  quite  a  few  which  we  have  not 
succeeded  in  classifying. 

We  have  found,  for  example,  that  it  is  a  very  easy  matter  to 
distinguish  between  varieties  belonging  to  the  Green  Mountain 
and  Rural  New  Yorker  groups  of  potatoes.  There  are  three  dis- 
tinct varietal  characteristics  in  these  groups  on  which  no  one  can 
err.  Neglecting  for  a  moment  the  shape  and  color  of  the  tubers, 
let  us  consider  the  color  of  the  sprouts,  preferably  of  those  which 
have  g-crminated  in  the  dark.  You  will  find  that  the  sprouts  of 
rJl  vaiieties  of  the  Rural  New  Yorker  group  are  short  and  en- 
larged at  the  base,  of  a  dirty  white  color  with  tips  and  leaf  scales 
of  a  violet  blue  shade ;  the  Green  Mountain  group  will  all  have 
white  sprouts  which  are  not  appreciably  enlarged  at  the  base  and 
which  do  not  have  any  color  in  any  portion  of  it.  The  stems  of 
the  growing  plants  have  a  x^urplish  hue  in  the  Rural  New  Yorker 
and  light  green  in  the  case  of  the  Green  Mountain.  The  flowers 
of  Green  Mountain  are  white,  while  those  of  Rural  New  Yorker 
vary  from  a  dark  violet  blue  toward  the  center  of  an  entire  ab- 
sence of  color  in  the  five  points  of  the  corolla.  The  intensity  of 


54  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

the  color  may  vary  quite  considerably,  depending  upon  the  age 
of  the  floAver  and  the  climatic  conditions.  If  the  weather  is  hot 
and  dry  the  color  will  be  much  less  intense.  The  vine  growth  of 
the  two  groups  is  also  quite  distinct.  The  Green  Mountain  makes 
a  dense  bushy  plant,  while  the  Rural  New  Yorker  is  long 
jointed,  sparingly  branched  at  first,  but  gradually  getting  denser 
as  the  season  advances. 

To  those  who  are  more  familiar  with  these  two  groups  of  pota- 
toes, there  are  certain  tuber  characteristics,  such  as  color  of  skin, 
shape  of  tuber,  arrangement  of  eyes,  etc.  The  skin  of  the  tubers 
of  the  Rural  New  Yorker  group  is  a  light  creamy  white,  while 
that  of  the  Green.  Mountain  group  has  a  light  russet  appearance. 

While  the  shape  of  the  tubers  of  each  of  these  groups  varies 
very  much  in  different  localities,  the  prevailing  type  of  the  Rural 
New  Yorker  is  round  to  broadly  oblong  flattened,  and  that  of 
the  Green  Mountain  has  a  tendency  to  become  distinctly  flat- 
tened. 

In  the  Early  Rose  and  Early  Ohio  groups  the  relationship  is 
nfuch  closer  and  the  distinguishing  characters  are  fewer.  The 
color  of  the  sprouts,  sterns  and  flowers  is  similar.  The  sprouts 
are  suffused  with  pink,  the  stems  are  a  dark  green  and  the  flowers 
are  Avhite.  The  differences  in  the  habit  of  growth  and  color  of 
foliage  arc  not  sufficiently  marked  to  be  easily  described.  They 
are  differences  that  are  apparent  to  the  eye  rather  than  in  des- 
criptive language.  Both  contain  the  same  blood,  the  Early  Ohio 
being  a  seedling  from  a  naturally  fertilized  seed  ball  of  the  Early 
Rose.  When  we  come  to  study  the  tubers  of  the  two  varieties, 
differences  are  at  once  apparent.  Gregory  in  his  1875  catalogue 
describes  the  'Early  Ohio  as  follows : 

"This  is  one  of  the  numerous  seedlings  of  the  Early  Rose,  but 
while  almost  all  of  the  seedlings  arc  so  like  their  parent  as  to  be 
indistinguishable  from  it,  the  Early  Ohio  while  in  color  like  the 
Early  Rose,  is,  in  shape,  quite  distinct,  being  round-oblong  in- 
stead of  oval-oblong,  so  that  side  by  side  is  readily  distinguish- 
able. Eyes  about  as  numerous  as  those  of  the  parent,  while  the 
brows  are  rather  more  p imminent. ' ' 

The  present  strain  of  Early  Rose  is  generally  a  deeper  pink 
than  that  of  the  Early  Ohio.  Two  other  points  of  difference 
should  be  noted,  the  first  being  a  more  or  less  distinct  flat- 
tening of  the  tubers  of  the  Early  Rose,  and  the  second,  the  dis- 
tinct small  cork-like  dots  in  the  skin  of  the  Early  Ohio.  This  lat- 
ter characteristic  is  in  evidence  in  several  varieties  which  have 
been  introduced  under  other  names,  but  which  to  all  intents  and 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  55 

purposes  are  Early  Ohio.  There  is  still  one  other  difference 
which  so  far  as  I  know,  has  never  been  mentioned,  though  it  is 
more  than  likely  that  it  has  been  observed,  and  that  is  with  re- 
spect to  the  character  of  the  sprouts.  The  Early  Ohio  sprouts 
are  short,  thick,  and  stubby,  while  those  of  the  Early  Rose  are 
longer  and  more  slender  and  devoid  of  the  thick  bulbous  base  of 
the  Early  Ohio. 

The  Irish  Cobbler  group  of  potatoes  is  not  easily  confused  with 
any  other.  The  vine  growth  is  short  jointed  and  stocked  with 
abundant  foliage.  Under  favorable  conditions  the  leaves  are 
large  flat,  more  or  less  glossy,  and  of  a  rich  green  color.  The 
plants  bloom  freely,  the  flowers  being  borne  in  large  clusters  or 
cymes.  The  color  of  the  flowers  is  a  delicate  shade  of  purple  or 
rose  lilac.  If  the  weather  is  cool  the  color  is  deeper  than  if  high 
temperature  prevails.  If  subjected  to  extreme  high  tempera- 
tures the  color  may  almost  entirely  disappear. 

The  tubers  are  round  to  a  short,  oblong,  some  are  distinctly 
shouldered,  while  others  are  only  slightly  so  or  not  at  all.  The 
eyes  are,  as  a  rule,  rather  deep,  particularly  the  bud-eye  clus- 
ter, and  the  skin  is  a  clear  creamy  white.  The  members  of 
this  group  mature  early.  The  Early  Petosky,  Early  Victor, 
Early  Eureka  and  several  others  belong  to  this  group,  if,  in- 
deed, they  are  not  identical  with  the  Irish  Cobbler. 

The  Burbank  group  is  characterized  by  having  white  skinned, 
long  cylindrical  or  slightly  flattened  tubers  having  many  eyes. 
The  sprouts  have  a  fruit  tinge  of  pink  and  the  stems  arc 
possibly  a  shade  darker  than  the  Green  Mountain  group.  The 
flowers  are  white,  the  plants  are  bushy  and  of  fair  size.  White 
Chief,  Knowle's  Big  Cropper  and  White  Star  are  simply  var- 
ietal strains  of  Burbank. 

The  Triumph  is  such  a  distinct  variety,  particularly  in  its  tu- 
ber characteristics,  that  it  needs  no  description. 

The  Pearl  seems  to  belong  to  a  class  by  itself.  It  is  said  to  be 
a  white  sport  of  the  Blue  Victor,  but  thus  far  we  have  failed 
to  find  any  literature  to  corroborate  the  statement.  It  is  a 
strong  grower  with  well  branched  short  jointed  stems.  The 
stems  are  medium  green  and  the  flowers  are  white.  The  tubers 
are  round  flattened  to  more  or  less  peltate  or  heart-shaped.  The 
stem  is  strongly  recessed  and  the  eyes  have  -a  faint  purplish 
tinge  when  freshly  dug. 

There  are  other  varieties  that  might  be  mentioned  but  they 
are  of  so  relatively  little  importance  to  this  locality  that  I  shall 
omit  them. 


56 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 


HIGHER  STANDARDS  IN  RELATION  TO  THE 
WISCONSIN  POTATO  INDUSTRY. 

H.   C.  CHEYNEY 

Assistant    General    Freight    Agent    Chicago    &    Northwestern 

Railroad. 


The  potato,  now  a  staple  food  for  man,  was  cultivatd  before 
the  discovery  of  America,  but  it  was  not  until  the  18th  century 
that  it  commenced  to  grow  in  popularity  as  a  food  product,  but 

the  potato  now  is  coming  to 
its  own,  brought  about  by  an 
exacting  public  who  demand 
quality  and  the  time  is  oppor- 
tune for  the  Wisconsin  pota- 
to. 

In  my  boyhood  days  the  po- 
tato was  used  largely  as  a 
filler,  considered  a  necessity, 
never  a  delicacy,  but  today 
when  the  special  baked  in  any 
hotel  or  cafe,  costs  about  the 
same  as  the  baked  apple,  in- 
cluding sugar  and  cream, 
quality  is  not  only  demanded 
but  must  be  provided. 

This  reminds  me  of  a  con- 
versation   I    overheard   in    a 
dining   car  up    State   a   few 
H.  c.  CHEYNEY.  days  ago.     A  gentleman,  evi- 

Chicago,  111.  dently    a    grower    ordered   a 

special  baked  potato.    When 

he  received  his  check  he  remarked  to  the  waiter,  "It  was  fine, 
George,  but  it  costs  too  much.  I  can  only  get  45  cents  a  bushel 
for  mine  and  they  are  just  as  good."  This  remark  is  only  one 
of  many  that  we  hear  about  how  really  well  adapted  to  raising 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  57 

potatoes  Wisconsin  is,  but  the  fact  is  not  well  enough  known  to 
bring  about  higher  market  prices. 

The  cutover  land  in  conjunction  with  the  climate  seems  to 
just  breed  quality  into  them.  All  that  is  needed  to  give  them 
individuality  is  advertising  and  proper  packing  for  market.  Do 
you  every  stop  to  think  that  Rocky  Ford  melons  were  once  un- 
known ?  Oregon  and  Washington  apples  considered  no  better  than 
those  of  New  York  State  ?  Why  is  it  they  command  such  a  pre- 
mium in  every  market?  Simply  because  they  have  been  con- 
stantly advertised  and  are  put  up  in  a  neat  and  attractive  man- 
ner. I  think  it  is  possible  for  the  Wisconsin  potato  to  reach  the 
same  sphere  of  popularity.  I  see  no  reason  why  the  potato  in- 
dustry of  Wisconsin  cannot,  before  many  years,  supersede  lum- 
ber as  its  possibilities  are  unlimited.  Chicago  alone  consumes 
approximately  12,000  cars  of  potatoes  each  year  in  bushels, 
over  six  million.  The  Northwestern  Road  last  year  handled  ap- 
proximately 12,000  cars  of  potatoes  out  of  Wisconsin,  to  which 
add  as  much  again  of  the  other  roads,  and  you  can  gain  an  ap- 
proximate idea  of  the  magnitude  of  this  industry  to-day.  In 
Chicago  it  is  estimated  that  1,900,000  people  or  about  80%  of  its 
great  population  live  in  apartment  or  flat  buildings,  provided 
with  neither  cellars  nor  other  vegetable  storage.  The  potato  is 
supplied  through  the  family  grocer  without  regard  to  quality  or 
uniformity  in  size  and  the  bottom  of  the  sack  is  now  always  a 
disappointment  to  every  housewife  and  this  is  true  of  every  large 
city.  The  housewife  in  the  apartments  wants  her  potatoes  in  a 
neat  and  attractive  package  that  can  be  placed  on  the  pantry 
shelf.  It  must  have  a  distinctive  label  which  guarantees  quality 
and  uniformity  in  size  for  which  she  will  be  glad  to  pay  a 
higher  price.  The  hotel,  cafe,  and  dining  cars  demand  the  same. 
The  family  grocer  wants  the  attractive  and  distinctive  package 
which  sells  itself,  pleases  his  customers  and  avoids  him  loss.  Is 
not  this  a  field  for  the  high  quality  Wisconsin  potato  ?  It  costs 
to  transfer  a  bushel  of  potatoes  from  Rhinelander  to  Milwaukee, 
Wis.,  approximately  7%  cents,  to  Chicago  9  cents,  to  St.  Louis, 
13  cents,  Kansas  City,  15  cents,  Pittsburgh  15  cents,  Philadel- 
phia 21  cents,  New  York  22  cents.  The  freight  on  the  selected 
potato  is  no  higher  than  on  the  indifferent  or  ordinary.  The  at- 
tractive package,  guarantee  label,  double  value,  quality  and  uni- 
form size  will  place  the  Wisconsin  potato  not  only  in  these 
cities  but  in  hundreds  of  new  markets. 

Prior  to  the  present  extension  work  the  promotion  of  the  Wis- 
consin potato  was  the  work  of  a  few  men,  pioneers  in  the  bujlc}- 


58  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

ing  of  suitable  warehouses  for  the  storing  and  shipping  of  the 
growers'  crop,  establishing  a  cash  home  market.  While  these 
same  pioneers  have  for  years  advocated  better  seed,  uniformity 
in  size  and  good  quality,  they  have  met  with  many  discourage- 
ments and  limited  success.  The  present  extension  work  of  the 
Horticultural  Department  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin  in 
conjunction  with  the  Wisconsin  Potato  Growers  Association,  un- 
der State  auspices  is  removing  all  prejudice  on  the  part  of  most 
growers  who  in  the  past  have  been  sceptical  as  to  advance  meth- 
ods, bringing  better  returns,  but  are  now  convinced.  The  slo- 
gan from  now  on  of  the  Wisconsin  potato  grower  is  yield,  qual- 
ity and  uniformity,  and  means  to  them  substantial  financial 
returns. 

Following  the  present  extension  work,  the  Wisconsin  Potato 
Growers'  Association  must  give  the  Wisconsin  potato  individu- 
ality. It  must  be  promoted,  advertised  and  packed  for  market 
in  a  manner  attractive  to  both  the  consumer  and  trade.  This  is 
a  growers,  not  a  dealers  proposition.  The  promotion  of  the  Wis- 
consin potato  means  much  hard  work,  the  expenditure  of  money, 
possibly  some  State  aid,  but  with  its  individuality  once  estab- 
lished, the  demands  will  be  always  great  and  at  the  highest  mar- 
ket price.  To  create  the  right  demand  for  the  advanced  Wis- 
consin potato  we  believe  that  a  standard  package  of  10,  20  and 
30  pounds  must  be  promoted. 

This  package  must  be  attractive  in  appearance,  bearing  a  dis- 
tinctive label  which  guarantees  double  value,  uniformity  in 
size  and  quality  and  with  this  once  done  the  Wisconsin  potato 
will  occupy  a  place  of  its  own.  With  the  demand  once  created 
for  the  selected  Wisconsin  potato,  the  large  handlers  and  ship- 
pers who  now  furnish  the  growers  storage  and  shipping  facili- 
ties and  a  home  cash  market  will  pay  higher  prices  for  selected 
potatoes  which  will  be  placed  in  attractive  packages  and  go  forth 
to  the  great  family  markets  where  they  will  be  displayed  in 
the  grocer's  window,  attracting  the  attention  of  all. 

In  conclusion  let  me  prophesy  that  it  won't  be  many  years  be- 
fore the  perfect  Wisconsin  potato  will  be  selected  in  the  field, 
placed  in  crates  and  not  distributed  until  it  reaches  the  central- 
ization plant,  similar  to  the  manner  in  which  milk  under  mod- 
ern methods  is  handled  to-day  They  will  then  be  washed  and 
packed  in  the  attractive  package  ready  for  market  with  but  one 
handling  from  soil  to  consumer.  Then  the  special  heated  potato 
car  will  place  these  perfect  potatoes  in  every  large  consuming 
market  regardless  of  weather  conditions. 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN.  59 


POTATO  DISEASES  IN  RELATION  TO  THE 
WISCONSIN  SEED  TRADE. 

BY  L.  R.  JONES 
Professor  of  Plant  Pathology,  University  of  Wisconsin. 


Professor  Jones  was  born  and  raised  on  a  farm  in  Fond  du  Lac 
County,  Wisconsin.  In  1889  he  went  to  Vermont  and  remained 
there  in  charge  of  the  Department  of  Botany,  until  1910  when  he 
resigned  to  take  charge  of  the  Department  of  Plant  Pathology  in 
the  University  of  Wisconsin. 

Prof.  Jones,  relations  to  the 
study  of  plant  diseases  has  kept 
him  in  close  touch  with  potato 
disease  conditions  in  this  coun- 
try and  in  Europe.  He  has 
had  the  advantage  of  observa- 
tion and  study  in  both  countries 
in  relation  to  these  problems. 
At  this  time,  when  potato  dis- 
ease dissemination  has  given 
rise  to  important  economic  and 
interstate  relations,  the  Wis- 
consin Potato  Growers'  Asso- 
ciation is  fortunate  in  having 
the  constant  co-operation  and 
counsel  of  Professor  Jones. 

In  growing  potatoes  for 
table  stoek,  we  are  principally 
concerned  with  those  diseases 
which  reduce  the  yield.  These 
are  the  leaf  diseases — tip  ' 

Im-pTi       n-ndV     Mii/1     l<if<>  KlirrKf         Professor   of    Plant    Pathology,    Univer- 

ouin,    eailv    and    late  blight.  sity  of  Wisconsin. 

For   the    seed    trade    we    are 

concerned  rather  with    the    tuber    disease.     This  is  not  merely 

*A  chart  with  three  color  reproductions  illustrating  the  tuber  diseases  of  the 
potato  is  now  in  preparation  under  the  direction  of  Prof.  .Tones.  This  chart 
will  be  issued  by  the  I  Department  of  Plant  Pathology  of  the  I'niversity  clnr* 
ing  the  fall  of  1JM4  and  Avill  be  available  to  Wisconsin  potato  growers, 


60  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

because  of  their  effect  upon  the  appearance  of  the  tubers, — 
indeed,  the  consideration  would  affect  table  and  seed  stock 
alike, — but  also  chiefly,  because  of  the  fact  that  the  germs 
of  these  diseases  are  carried  on  or  with  the  tubers  from 
crop  to  crop.  Thus  one  of  the  most  important  considerations 
with  the  purchaser  of  seed  stock  is  that  it  be  free  from  disease. 
Herein  lies  the  peculiar  opportunity  for  Wisconsin  seed  potato 
growers. 

There  are  large  areas  of  practically  virgin  soil  in  northern 
Wisconsin  especially  suited  to  potatoes.  These  soils  are  at  pres- 
ent free  from  disease  germs.  The  responsibility  rests  with  the 
potato  growers  to  keep  them  free.  This  means  to  begin  with 
the  use  of  disease-free  seed  in  planting  them.  Especial  caution 
should  be  used  in  importing  seed  from  the  Eastern  States  arid 
under  no  condition  should  foreign  potatoes  be  used  for  seed. 
But  in  spite  of  any  precautions  likely  to  be  taken  diseases  will 
gradually  come  in.  As  this  happens,  the  important  thing  is  to 
recognize  them  promptly  and  by  proper  measures  hold  them  in 
check. 

In  order  to  make  these  matters  more  definite,  I  will  list  the 
diseases  which  are  likely  thus  to  be  introduced  or  borne  on  pq- 
tato  tubers  with  such  brief  characterization  as  will  help  in 
guarding  against  them. 

SCAB  DISEASES 

Common  scab.  This  is  familiar  to  every  potato  grower.  In 
the  older  sections  it  has  been  so  widely  introduced  that  seed  po- 
tatoes secured  from  any  such  source  are  almost  sure  to  bear  the 
germs.  Once  introduced,  it  may  persist  for  years  in  the  soil. 
Fortunately,  the  germs  are  on  the  surface  and  easily  killed  by 
disinfecting.  There  are  various  methods  of  doing  this,  but  the 
simplest  and  best  is  to  soak  the  seed  for  two  hours  in  a  solution 
of  1  pound  of  formaldehyde  (or  formalin)  in  30  gallons  of  wa- 
ter. 

Powdery  scab  is  a  European  disease,  similar  to  the  common 
scab  in  general  appearance  and  effect,  but  unfortunately  the 
germs  are  not  so  easily  killed.  Since  this  does  not  occur  in 
Wisconsin  as  yet,  every  care  should  be  taken  to  guard  against 
its  introduction. 

Black  wart,  somtimes  called  Black  Scab,  is  another  European 
Disease  even  more  to  be  dreaded.  It  attacks  the  eyes  and  young 


POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK-IN  WISCONSIN;  J'< ;      -oi 

sprouts  of  the  potato  which  as  a  result  develop  into  repulsive, 
black  warty  growths  which  ruin  the  potato  for  any  purpose. 
This  too  is  a  germ  disease,  but  no  effectual  method  has  as  yet 
been  found  of  ridding  either  soil  or  tubers  of  the  germs.  The 
danger  from  this  disease  is  so  great  that  the  United  States  has 
declared  a  strict  quarantine  against  potato  importations  from 
all  infested  countries  including  Great  Britain,  North  Central 
Europe  and  the  Canadian  island  of  Newfoundland.  The  Gov- 
ernment should  be  encouraged  to  maintain  and  if  need  be,  ex- 
tend this  precautionary  measure. 

SCURF  DISEASES 

These  are  entirely  superficial  or  affect  only  the  outer  layers 
of  the  "skin"  of  the  potato  tuber,  hence  are  less  serious  than 
the  "scab"  diseases.  They  mar  the  appearance  of  the  tuber, 
however,  and  the  fungi  which  cause  them  may,  under  some  cir- 
cumstances, pass  to  the  stem  of  the  young  plant  and  cause  more 
injury.  Hence  these  diseases  are  objectionable  especially  on 
seed  that  is  to  go  south  or  west.  There  are  two  kinds,  the 
Hack  scurf  or  Rhizoctonia  disease,  and  the  silver  scurf.  Dis- 
infection tends  to  hold  these  in  check.  The  use  of  corrosive 
sublimate  solution  (1:1000;  2  hrs.  immersion)  has  recently  been 
proved  to  be  more  effective  than  formalin  against  black  scurf 
and  may  be  resorted  to  where  needed. 

POTATO  ROT  DISEASES 

There  are  two  types  of  rot  occurring  in  Wisconsin  which  are 
serious  enough  to  deserve  attention.  One  is  the  bacterial  Hack 
leg,  the  other  the  fungus  late  blight  and  rot. 

Black  leg.  This  causes  a  soft  rot  of  the  base  of  the  stem  and 
may  rot  the  tuber.  The  bacteria  causing  this  disease  overwin- 
ter on  such  diseased  tubers.  Apparently  they  do  not  persist  in 
the  soil.  If  sound  potatoes  are  selected  for  seed,  and  are  dis- 
infected by  either  method  previously  outlined,  the  disease  is 
eliminated.  It  is  important  for  seed  growers  to  keep  absolutely 
free  from  this  trouble  since  the  use  of  infected  seed  from  the 
North  has  been  known  to  cause  serious  loss  in  the  southern  crop. 

Late  bliglit  is  a  fungus  disease  primarily  of  the  foliage,  but 
the  germs  washed  from  the  leaves  into  the  soil  cause  the  tubers 
to  rot.  Usually  there  is  not  enough  of  this  trouble  in  Wiscon- 


62  POTATO  DEVELOPMENT  WORK  IN  WISCONSIN. 

sin  fields  to  be  a  serious  factor.  In  bad  outbreaks,  such  as  oc- 
curred about  ten  years  ago,  it  may,  however,  sweep  off  the  en- 
tire crop.  The  fungus  overwinters  in  the  interior  of  infected 
tubers.  Of  course,  if  these  are  sufficiently  diseased  to  show  as 
dry  rot,  no  one  would  think  of  using  them  for  seed.  Since, 
however,  there  may  be  cases  of  infection  which  do  not  show  on 
the  surface,  the  only  safe  rule  is  to  avoid  the  use  of  seed  tubers 
taken  from  fields  which  show  the  late  blight.  This  disease 
should  not,  however,  be  confused  with  the  early  blight  and  tip 
burn  the  leaves,  which  are  more  common  in  "Wisconsin  fields, 
but  which  do  not  attack  the  tubers,  hence  have  no  importance  in 
relation  to  the  seed  trade. 

CONCLUSION 

If  each  Wisconsin  seed  potato  grower  will  learn  to  recognize 
these  troubles  and  use  precautions  as  an  individual  to  keep  free 
from  them,  Northern  Wisconsin  can  continue  indefinitely  to 
supply  potatoes  of  a  higher  degree  of  purity  from  disease  than 
any  other  state  in  the  north.  In  order  to  secure  the  full  bene- 
fit of  this  condition,  this  Association  should  cooperate  in  the 
plan  of  potato  seed  inspection  and  certification  outlined  by 
Messrs.  Orton  and  Stuart  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture. With  this  combination  of  individual  and  Association  ef- 
fort, I  believe  Wisconsin  may  maintain  her  place,  unrivalled,  in 
the  seed  potato  trade  of  the  country. 


As  this  bulletin  goes  to  press  a  letter  has  been  received  from 
North  Crandon  in  Forest  County,  announcing  the  organization 
of  the  North  Crandon  Potato  Growers  Association.  Thirty- 
three  charter  members  were  enrolled.  The  Association  will  unite 
upon  round  white  stock  and  have  taken  steps  to  secure  founda- 
tion stock  of  the  Rural  New  Yorker  and  Green  Mountain  varie- 
ties. 

The  officers  of  the  Association  are :  A.  R.  Anklam — President ; 
J.  D.  Grandine — Secy-Treasurer. 


ANNOUNCEMENT 


OF  THE 


CONVENTION    AND   EXHIBIT 

TO  BE  HELD  AT 

GRAND  RAPIDS,  WIS.,  NOVEMBER,  1914. 

(Watch  Local  Press  Notice  For  Exact  Dates.) 

The  State  Association  considers  it  very  important  that  plans 
for  the  annual  convention  should  be  made  at  potato  planting 
time.  Every  county  or  local  association  where  definite  commu- 
nity work  has  been  organized  this  spring  (1914)  will  be  repre- 
sented at  Grand  Rapids.  This  will  be  a  united  gathering  of 
the  commercial  potato  interests  of  the  state. 


THE  LARGE  PAVILION  AT  GRAND  RAPIDS,  WIS. 

The   11)14   Convention    and    Exhibit    of  the   Wisconsin    Potato   Growers   Associa- 
tion will  be  held  in   this  Building   in    November. 

Every  commercial  potato  center  in  the  state  has  not  been 
reached.  Attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that  it  is  not  too  late 
now  to  make  improvement  this  year. 

The  Wisconsin  Potato  Growers  Association  will  co-operate 
with  any  individual  or  community  who  desires  to  secure  good 
seed  stock:  When  you  receive  this  bulletin,  write  the  secretary 
Madison,  Wis. 


THE  TWO  FUNDAMENTAL  OBJECTS 

OF  THE 

Wisconsin  Potato  Growers  Association 


I.  TO  GUARANTEE  PURE  POTATO  SEED  SHIPMENTS. 

The  two  essentials  are,  A.  Variety  purity.  B. 
Freedom  from  disease. 

Wisconsin  seed  stock  is  apparently  free  from  those 
dangers  which  menace  the  potato  industry  in 
many  commercial  centers. 

This  advantage  must  be  maintained  by  a  careful 
system  of  inspection  in  co-operation  with  this 
Association. 


Copyrighted 


II.  TO  GUARANTEE  STRAIGHT  CAR  LOTS  OF  COMMER- 
CIAL TABLE  STOCK-SORTED  AND  GRADED. 

This  standard  can  be  maintained  only  through 
community  effort— organization—co-operation. 

The  work  of  this  Association  will  be  judged  by 
the  standard  of  Wisconsin  potato  shipments  on 
the  markets  of  the  Middle  West. 


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